Praful Patel seeks more time to depose before ED in a money laundering case
Mumbai, Jun.6 (HS): Former civil aviation minister and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Praful Patel today sought more time for deposing before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with a money-laundering case.
The case pertains is to the losses suffered by national carrier Air India as part of an alleged multi-crore-rupee aviation scam, hours ahead of his appearance before the agency. Praful Patel, 62, has also been named in a recent chargesheet filed by ED before a court as a person known to the alleged aviation lobbyist Deepak Talwar. He was to depose before the agency, today.
However, the NCP leader, who was in charge of the civil aviation ministry between 2004 and 2011, has not been made an accused in the case.
“Due to my prior commitments, I have requested ED for another date,” Mr Patel said in his request. The statement of Mr Patel, a Rajya Sabha legislator, will be recorded under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). Patel had earlier told media that he would be happy to co-operate with the ED for their understanding of the complexities of the aviation industry.
