The government has told the US that Jet Airways and its chairman Naresh Goyal had no underworld or terrorist links. In a letter to the US Embassy in New Delhi, the external affairs ministry has said that no allegation raised by the US authorities have been substantiated and no charge against Goyal has been filed by any of the Indian investigation agencies.
Government?s security clearance was the main stumbling block for Jet Airways to fly to the US, as the federal aviation authorities had raised questions regarding the carrier?s and its promoter?s alleged links with the underworld and terrorist networks.
Jet Airways, the country?s largest private airline, on Wednesday announced its trans-atlantic service between Mumbai and New York, beginning August 5. Jet has been banking on its US services to boost its overseas revenues, as India-US air traffic accounts for a major part of international travel from India.
In addition to this, Jet can also capitalise on its operations to Europe much better using connecting flights to the US.
Meanwhile, the Bombay High Court was informed that Union Home Ministry and intelligence agencies, including RAW, had given clean chits to Goyal on his alleged connection with the underworld. The high court had asked Mumbai police to file a report on Goyal?s links with the underworld on a PIL. Asked by the court what was the Centre?s stand on the issue, the government counsel said the Union Home Ministry and the intelligence agencies, RAW and IB, have cleared Goyal?s name. The court directed the Centre to file an affidavit in this regard by Friday.