Jet Airways' ex-boss Naresh stopped by immigration from traveling abroad
Naresh Goyal and wife Anita, who started now-defunct Jet Airways 25 years ago, were on Saturday stopped from traveling abroad, reports said. The former power couple of Indian aviation was bound to travel by Emirates flight EK 507 when immigration officials intervened at Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International airport. To recall, Jet is buried under debt and hasn't paid salaries for months. Here's more.
Backstory: Jet went from pride of skies to failed airlines
Jet, which was famous for providing luxury services at affordable prices, has been struggling to stay afloat for many years. In the last 11 years, there were only two years when Jet didn't lose money. As of now, Jet owes $1.2 billion to lessors, oil companies, etc. Notably, the Centre asked state-owned banks, led by SBI, to bail Jet out, but the plan hasn't materialized yet.
The couple's luggage was also offloaded
Naresh and his wife's exit from the board was one of the foremost demands of the banks. Subsequently, the two quit the company in March. And on Saturday, when they were due to fly to London at 3:35 PM, they were stopped. Reportedly, the immigration officials were acting on a lookout circular. The couple's luggage, checked-in under Anita's name, was also offloaded.
The flight had reached taxiway when officials intervened
"Naresh and his wife Anita Goyal traveling to London on EK 507 were restricted from leaving the country. The aircraft had reached taxiway when it was recalled and they were taken into custody by Immigration officers," a security official at the airport added.
But why were Naresh and Anita stopped?
According to reports, the Serious Fraud Investigation office and the Enforcement Directorate have started a probe into the Jet crisis. ED is investigating the sale of 50.1% shares of Jet Privilege Pvt Ltd. to Etihad. Jet Privilege Pvt Ltd. functioned as a loyalty rewards program of the cash-strapped airlines. Recently, the probing agency also questioned senior officials of Jet in this regard.
Meanwhile, Ministry of Corporate Affairs also called for detailed investigation
Last month, the Mumbai regional office of the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) submitted a report highlighting the need for a detailed investigation into alleged illegal transactions of the airlines. However, the body hasn't decided how to go about the probe.
Earlier, president of staff association said passports should be seized
As Jet crisis affected the employees in the worst way possible, the president of officers and staff association requested that passports of the top officials should be seized. Kiran Pawaskar wrote to Mumbai Police Commissioner with this demand. He reminded that employees haven't been paid for months and it would be best if the top brass doesn't get the opportunity to leave India.
