New Delhi: Another UPA-era time scam is under the scanner of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The central investigating agency has filed a case against former Air India chief Arvind Jadhav and other top officials for allegedly violating the norms in appointing general rank officers. 

According to the FIR, it was alleged that Jadhav had constituted an illegal panel to recommend suitable candidates for promotions to the post of general manager (operations).

The FIR also stated that those who were not eligible for promotion were also promoted, even when some of them were facing criminal charges.

Providing the gist of the initial investigation, the CBI has claimed that during the investigation it was found that promotion panel selected officers for the post of general manager (operations) even though certain criminal cases or complaint were pending against them. During inquiry, it was revealed that the appointment of Dr (Ms) LP Nakhwa as executive director in the said promotion panel was irregular and illegal. The inquiry revealed that no prescribed procedure was followed by the then chief managing director, Jadhav.

“It was further alleged that though Dr (Ms) LP Nakhwa, executive director (medical services) was not eligible for being member of the said promotion panel, Arvind Jadhav, the then CMD, Air India, nominated Dr (Ms) LP Nakhwa against prevailing rules and procedure,” the CBI found in its initial investigation.  

“Enquiry further revealed that Arvind Jadhav, the then CMD, Air India regularised Dr (Ms) LP Nakhwa in the post of executive director (medical services) w.e.f. 1.4.2010 without following the due procedure. Inquiry revealed that such an act of appointment/promotion of an officer to the post of executive director by CMD was against clause s(a) of instrument of delegation of administrative powers of Air India,” the CBI said in its FIR.

The CBI has alleged that Jadhav, in conspiracy with Nakhwa, had abused his official position in order to appoint her as a member of the promotion panel committee and giving her a promotion without following due process. 

Jadhav deliberately ignored the order of the MoCA to favour her by way of keeping her on the post of executive director.