AirAsia India’s former personnel under investigation

epa05603895 Cyrus Mistry, former chairman of Tata Sons, leaves after attending a meeting at the company's head office in Mumbai, India, 26 October 2016. Ratan Tata assumed charge as interim chairman, after the Tata Sons board sacked its chairman, Cyrus Mistry, on 24 October. EPA/DIVYAKANT SOLANKI

KUALA LUMPUR: Certain former personnel of AirAsia (India) Ltd, a joint venture between AirAsia Bhd and Tata Sons Ltd, are being investigated involving irregular personal expense claims and certain company charges, AirAsia Bhd said.

“This has already been reported to and discussed at the previous board meeting of AirAsia (India) Ltd,” AirAsia (India) Ltd said in a statement posted by AirAsia Bhd on the Bursa Malaysia website.

The statement was in response to a local business daily’s report that quoted a letter by ousted Tata Sons chairman Cyrus Mistry. According to the daily as well as other reports last week, Mistry alleged, in a letter that was emailed to the Tata Sons board, that there was fraudulent transactions at AirAsia India. 

“AirAsia (India) Ltd will not make any specific reference to the matters investigated at this stage as it may be prejudicial to AirAsia (India) Ltd or the personnel investigated,” AirAsia (India) said.

“AirAsia (India) Ltd, AirAsia Bhd and Tata Sons Ltd look into all allegations of impropriety and misappropriation very seriously. The three entities do not approve of any unethical practices and will take very stern action against the perpetrators at all levels of the organisation. The three entities would like to reiterate that it strictly adheres to internal procedures and policies.” 

AirAsia Bhd holds a 49% stake in AirAsia (India) Ltd, while the Tata group holds 49% and two AirAsia India directors own the remaining 2%.