CBI summons AirAsia CEO for questioning

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has asked Malaysia-based AirAsia Group CEO Tony Fernandes to appear before it by June 6 to face queries relating to alleged bribery to get FDI rules tweaked.

The CBI has alleged that bribe was paid to obtain a licence to operate international flights by the joint venture of AirAsia India with Tata Sons. A

CBI sources said that Fernandes had been asked, through email, to come and record his statement before the investigators at the agency's headquarters in Delhi.

"We are planning to issues separate notices to other accused persons named in the FIR after scrutinising all the documents," a CBI official said, requesting anonymity. AirAsia and Venkataramanan have denied the charges, saying the accusations were made with mala fide intention and will be defended in court. Fernandes needed to be questioned regarding the FIPB approval obtained by the company for investing in India.

Meanwhile, the CBI questioned 'lobbyist' Rajender Dubey in connection with alleged malpractices by AirAsia India and its promoters while trying to get international flying licences by manipulating policies, officials said. Dubey, promoter of Singapore-based HNR Trading, was called on Friday at the CBI headquarters where he was questioned at length about the meetings he allegedly arranged for the executives of AirAsia India and its promoters in the power corridors, they said. Vijay Mallya has also resigned as director of his Formula One motorsport company Force India as his legal team filed an application to seek an appeal against a 1.145-billion-pound UK high court ruling on freezing of his assets.

The 62-year-old Mallya resigned as director of Sahara Force India Formula One Team on May 24, according to the UK Companies House records.