New Delhi: The Enforcement Directorate has taken action in an alleged money laundering case related to Jet Airways (India) Ltd., seizing assets valued at a staggering ₹538 crore. These properties have been attached under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002, as part of the ongoing investigation.
These assets, comprising 17 residential flats, bungalows, and commercial buildings, are registered under various entities, including the airline’s founder, Naresh Goyal, along with his wife Anita Goyal and son Nivaan Goyal. These holdings are spread across locations in London, Dubai, and several states in India.
In addition to the Goyal family, several properties have been identified with registrations under the entities Jetair Pvt Ltd. and Jet Enterprises Pvt Ltd. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) recently filed a chargesheet against Naresh Goyal and five other individuals in connection with an alleged fraud case filed by Canara Bank.
The bank had granted credit limits and loans amounting to ₹ 848 crore to the now-grounded private airline, with ₹ 538 crore still outstanding. Goyal was arrested on September 1 by the ED under the PMLA and is currently detained at Mumbai’s Arthur Road jail.
According to the Enforcement Directorate, the founder of Jet Airways is accused of transferring funds through offshore trusts and subsequently using these funds to acquire valuable properties. The agency asserts that the funds channelled into these trusts are believed to be the result of unlawful activities.
Furthermore, as per an audit report, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) revealed that the loans obtained by Jet Airways had been diverted towards the purchase of furniture, clothing, jewellery, and real estate.