Delhi high court allows CBI to quiz accused via video link

THIS WILL BE THE FIRST TIME THAT CBI WILL QUESTION SOMEONE ONLINE SINCE THE COVID-19 PROMPTED RESTRICTIONS FROM MARCH

NEW DELHI: The Delhi high court on Wednesday allowed the managing director of a private firm, who is an accused in alleged irregularities worth ₹705 crore in the Mumbai airport’s development and management, to appear before the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for questioning via video conferencing. This will be the first time that CBI will question someone online since the Covid-19 pandemic prompted restrictions from March. Officials said CBI usually does not allow questioning of the accused through video conferencing.

Justice Vibhu Bakhru allowed the request of Sartaj Ali, the managing director of Nice Projects Ltd, for online questioning after CBI agreed to it. The agency said its officials will question Ali either through video conferencing or at his Delhi residence.

Ali’s lawyer, Vijay Aggarwal, argued his client is 67 and faces various health issues.

CBI is probing alleged siphoning of ~705 crore from the funds of the Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL). MIAL is a joint venture under a public-private partnership between the GVK Airport Holdings Limited and the Airports Authority of India besides other investors. The money was allegedly siphoned off by showing inflated expenditure, under-reporting of revenues, and fudging of records.

The agency conducted raids last month at the offices of the GVK Group in Mumbai and Hyderabad. CBI has alleged the group’s promoters also allegedly embezzled funds by inflating MIAL expenditure.

In a statement last month, a MIAL spokesperson said: “MIAL is surprised to note the registration of a case by CBI against MIAL and others. MIAL would have provided every assistance had the agency sought explanation or any document even if a preliminary inquiry had been initiated.”

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