Detention Of Aviation Middleman: Delhi HC Issues Notice To ED Seeking Its Response To Plea Alleging Use Of Force

A Delhi High Court bench comprising Justices Siddharth Mridul and Sangita Dhingra Sehgal today (Tuesday, 5 February 2019) issued a notice to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) asking it to respond to a petition by alleged aviation middleman Deepak Talwar in which he has contended that his detention by the agency is illegal, reports The Hindu.

Talwar was picked up by Indian officials from the UAE last week; his counsel Mukul Rohatgi has contended that this was not a legal extradition.

“The Government of India abducted my client. More so when there was summons for him to appear on 4 February. There was no extradition and they picked him up,” Rohatgi argued.

ED has been asked to respond to the plea by 11 February, one day before the next hearing of the matter.

Previously, the ED had, before a trial court, accused Talwar of having been a middleman working at the behest of foreign private airlines to the detriment of Air India.

The agency claims that it needed to question him to obtain information about Ministry of Civil Aviation, National Aviation Company of India Ltd. and Air India officials who were involved in the scheme.

The ED believes that large sums to the tune of $60.54 million had been transferred from Qatar Airways, Emirates and Air Arabia to entities under the control of Talwar between 23 April 2008 and 6 February 2009.

He is also facing legal proceedings under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act for misappropriating crores of rupees received from a large missile manufacturer in Europe which were supposed to be used for ambulances and other items.