CBI, CVC watch as Air India’s Verma leads a charmed life

Verma, among other allegations, has been facing an inquiry in a Rs 2-crore case where payments for carpets were made to a US company without the stuff being received by A-I. Investigations by the internal vigilance department have proved his involvement.

The Central Vigilance Commission had sought an explanation for Verma’s conduct over a year ago but the ministry is yet to reply. According to documents available with The Indian Express, the CVC demanded an explanation from Air India on the complaints it had received against Verma on January 22, 2002.

Air India’s vigilance department then conducted an inquiry and submitted a report to the ministry in September last year. For the past six months, the ministry has been sitting on the report. Civil Aviation Minister Shahnawaz Hussain told The Indian Express that the CBI’s complaint against Verma related to his submitting a false medical certificate for leave.

‘‘This is such a small matter that I don’t think any major penalty is required,’’ he said. When asked why the ministry was not replying to the CVC, the minister said: ‘‘I am not aware of any CVC inquiry; please speak to the civil aviation secretary.’’

Civil aviation secretary Roy Paul told this newspaper: ‘‘We have received Air India’s report against Verma and have given an opportunity to Verma to respond for a fair investigation into the case. We are awaiting Verma’s reply.’’ When asked how long this would take, Paul said the investigation would be wrapped up shortly.

In another report sent to the CVC last month, A-I Managing Director J N Gogoi had pointed out that Verma had allegedly influenced A-I’s decision to appoint Travel Pack as its main agent or ‘consolidator’ in Canada. The airline’s own vigilance report said Travel Pack did not meet the selection criteria.

Air India’s spokesperson refused to comment on why Verma had not been transferred. ‘‘The matter is too sensitive,’’ the senior official said. Speaking to The Indian Express, Verma said General Manager S P S Yadav (A-I vigilance) had added his name without the approval of the Chairman.

‘‘At least two of the charges against me have been dropped. Also, the CVC has found nothing and the matter has been referred to the Ministry of Civil Aviation for an independent inquiry,’’ he said.

The Agreed List of 2001 accused Verma of irregularities pertaining to the Badminton Association of India and to the appointment of consolidators in UK and Canada.

How have others on this list fared? Material manager D T Bhoye, senior foreman V R Bhatkar and customer service supervisor C M Iyer have been transferred to non-sensitive posts and their names deleted from the latest Agreed List.

Last July, Air India had filed a case of forgery and cheating against Verma with the Santacruz police station.

This related to his going on prolonged sick leave in October 2000 when former Managing Director Michael Mascarenhas transferred him from the post of Director (planning) to Director (corporate affairs).

Verma had been on leave for six-and-a-half months and produced a medical certificate to prove his illness. Mascarenhas instituted a two-member committee to look into Verma’s illness.

The committee found the medical report fake and suspended Verma. Six months later, however, then Director, medical, R Chaudhry who had ratified the report as fake, made a turnaround and said that Verma was indeed ill and hence his leave was in order.