Former Civil Aviation Minister and NCP leader Praful Patel appeared before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for the second day on Tuesday for questioning in connection with a money laundering probe related to a multi-crore civil aviation scam involving alleged irregular allotment of routes to foreign airlines to the detriment of Air India during his tenure as Civil Aviation Minister. He was grilled for nine hours.
Patel was on Monday also grilled by the agency for about eight hours. Patel’s statement was recorded under Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) on both the days, sources said.
The case emerges from a criminal complaint registered by the ED for alleged irregularities in fixing air slots for international airlines that led to losses for Air India. A case for purchase of 111 aircraft for the national carrier during Patel’s tenure is also under scanner of the agency.
