Delhi HC serves notice to Centre: CVC inquiry into AI aircraft deal

New Delhi: Acting on a plea by an NGO, which seeks a direction to the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) to inquire into the purchase of 111 commercial passenger aircraft from Boeing and Airbus, the Delhi High Court on Wednesday asked the Centre to respond.

The order, placed by then recently merged state-owned carrier, Air India, cost a whopping Rs67,000 crore, and has brought the airline to near-financial ruin.

A bench headed by acting chief justice AK Sikri issued notice to the Centre, Air India, CVC, CBI and CAG directing them to file their response within four weeks and listed the matter for further hearing on 23 November.

The plea seeking CVC inquiry into aircraft purchase deal and the role played by the ministry of civil aviation has been made by the Centre for Public Interest Litigation (CPIL).

"The petitioner (CPIL) requests this court to direct the CVC to conduct a thorough inquiry into aircraft acquisition deals of Air India and its loss of market-share by giving up profitable routes and timings, and the role played by the civil aviation ministry. If the CVC finds a prima facie case, it can then get the matter investigated through the CBI as per law," the application said.

The NGO, in its fresh application, cited the CAG report to buttress its plea that the civil aviation ministry acted in "haste and in mala fide" manner.