Former Jet Airways chairman Naresh Goyal and his wife were stopped by Mumbai immigration from traveling abroad. The couple was to travel in the Dubai-bound Emirates flight EK 507 when the immigration authority denied them permission to fly. As per PTI, their checked-in baggage was also offloaded from the flight. The flight was scheduled to depart at 3.35 pm.
As reported by PTI, The Serious Fraud Investigation office and the Enforcement Directorate have reportedly started inquiring into the Jet Airways crisis. A lookout circular has been put out against the Jet Airways founders. They are probing into the cash-strapped airline and its subsidiaries. The ED is also reportedly looking into the jet founder’s investments into various foreign airlines.
Naresh Goyal, along with Anita Goyal, had resigned from the board of Jet Airways, which he founded 26 years ago, in March following a debt restructuring plan. He had also resigned as the airline chairman.
Last month, Jet Airways officers and staff association president Kiran Pawaskar had written a letter to the Mumbai police commissioner. He had asked that the passports of Goyal and other directors and senior members of the Jet Airways management be impounded. The reason being that the airline had not paid salaries to its employees for several months.
The airline is struggling with a debt of more than $1.2 billion, and owes money to lessors, suppliers, pilots and oil companies. Lenders of the now-grounded Jet Airways have taken a controlling stake in the airline. They are currently in the process of selling a stake to recover their dues.
The airline temporarily suspended its flight operations on April 17. Recently, top executives of the airline resigned.
Naresh Goyal could not be reached for comments.
Also Read: Jet Airways Crisis: Naresh Goyal is ready to pledge the rest of his shares