UPA scam: Lobbyist got kickbacks worth Rs 1,000 cr for aviation deals

NEW DELHI: In another major UPA era scam that has come to light now, corporate lobbyist Deepak Talwar is under the Income Tax Department's lens for receiving kickbacks worth around Rs 1,000 crores.

A Times Now investigation has found that Talwar, who is active in the aviation sector and is known for brokering telecom and aviation deals, had bribed officials during the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) regime to secure various favours for his clients.

According to tax sleuths, Talwar was also instrumental in securing approvals for foreign airlines.

Sources said the lobbyist, who was raided by the I-T department in June 2016, maintained close relations with senior UPA functionaries. Talwar reportedly received the kickbacks during 2008-09.

The corporate lobbyist had hit the headlines when it was revealed that he had visited the official residence of former CBI director Ranjit Sinha at least 63 times in 15 months.

Most of these visits took place when the CBI was investigating the Nira Radia tapes, on the directions of the Supreme Court. In one of its preliminary enquiry report on the working of touts and middlemen and kickbacks in the aviation sector, the CBI had mentioned the names of Talwar along with Radia and ex-civil aviation secretary Madhavan Nambiar.