New Delhi: The legal troubles surrounding the insolvency proceedings of now-grounded airline Go First have intensified after Ernakulam Police registered an FIR against the company’s former board of directors, an unnamed official of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), travel booking platforms EaseMyTrip and Cleartrip, and the airline’s Resolution Professional.

The FIR, filed on July 9, relates to allegations of cheating and criminal breach of trust connected with ticket bookings made after Go First had begun its insolvency process. The case was registered under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including sections related to breach of trust, cheating, and fraudulent conduct.

The action follows an order from the Chief Judicial Magistrate Court in Ernakulam based on a complaint filed by aviation safety activist and advocate Yeshwant Shenoy. The complaint alleged that ticket sales continued despite the airline’s decision to seek voluntary insolvency, potentially causing financial losses to passengers.

Allegations Over Ticket Sales During Insolvency Process

According to the complaint, Go First’s board approved the decision to initiate insolvency proceedings on April 28, 2023. Shareholders later approved the move during an Extraordinary General Meeting on April 30, and the airline approached the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) on May 2, 2023.

However, the complaint claims that ticket bookings continued until May 10, allowing passengers to purchase tickets for flights that were later cancelled after the airline suspended operations.

Those named in the FIR include former chairman Nusli Neville Wadia, director Ness Nusli Wadia, former CEO Kaushik Khona, other former board members, an unidentified DGCA official, online travel companies EaseMyTrip and Cleartrip, and Resolution Professional Shailendra Ajmera.

Passenger Claims Financial Loss

The complainant stated that he personally suffered a loss of ₹64,000 after booking Kochi-Mumbai flight tickets for family members and friends on the same day Go First filed its insolvency application.

He alleged that despite raising concerns with the aviation regulator, action to stop advance bookings was taken only on May 10 following intervention by the Kerala High Court.

The complaint further alleges that the DGCA was aware of Go First’s financial difficulties but failed to take timely steps to protect passengers. It referred to previous regulatory actions involving financially distressed airlines, including restrictions placed on advance bookings during earlier crises.

Dispute Over Scale of Passenger Losses

The complaint has also questioned the reported financial impact on passengers. Go First had stated that around 4,118 flights were cancelled in April 2023, affecting nearly 77,500 passengers.

While media reports estimated passenger-related claims at approximately ₹900 crore, the complainant argued that the actual amount collected from passengers could have been significantly higher, alleging that bookings continued for additional days despite the airline’s financial situation.

The FIR alleges that the accused parties may have caused financial harm to passengers while benefiting from continued ticket transactions despite the airline’s expected operational shutdown.

Investigation to Examine Records and Communications

The police investigation is expected to examine various documents, including board decisions, communications between Go First and regulatory authorities, booking details, payment records, and the role of online travel platforms in processing ticket sales.

The probe will also look into whether adequate disclosures and warnings were provided to passengers during the period between the insolvency decision and the suspension of bookings.

Experts Highlight Need for Stronger Consumer Protection

Cybercrime and digital fraud experts have noted that while the case primarily involves corporate and regulatory issues, online platforms handling consumer payments must maintain strict compliance standards during periods of financial uncertainty.

Experts have stressed the importance of timely coordination between regulators, airlines, payment providers, and booking platforms to ensure passengers are informed quickly and protected from avoidable losses.

The matter is currently under investigation. The allegations mentioned in the FIR remain unproven, and no court has established guilt against any of the individuals or organisations named in the case.

The Kerala government has approved prosecution proceedings by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) against two former senior officials of the Kerala State Cashew Development Corporation (KSCDC) in connection with an alleged ₹600 crore raw cashew import irregularities case.

The decision follows prolonged legal proceedings before the Kerala High Court, which had questioned delays in granting the required sanction to prosecute public servants. The state government’s approval now allows the long-pending case against former KSCDC Chairperson R. Chandrasekharan and former Managing Director K.A. Ratheesh to move forward.

High Court Pressure Leads to Prosecution Approval

The case relates to procurement activities carried out by KSCDC between 2006 and 2015. The CBI has alleged that irregularities occurred during the import of raw cashew nuts, including claims of inflated pricing, violations of procurement procedures, and financial losses to the state-run corporation.

Although the investigating agency had prepared charges related to alleged cheating, breach of trust, and corruption offences, further legal action remained pending due to the absence of government approval required for prosecuting officials who held public positions.

The matter gained fresh momentum after proceedings were initiated before the Kerala High Court over alleged non-compliance with earlier court directions. Following judicial intervention, the Industries Department issued approval for prosecution.

State Revises Sanction Order After Legal Dispute

The first approval issued by the government reportedly contained remarks questioning aspects of the court’s intervention. After further legal developments, the state revised the order and issued a fresh sanction document focused on the available evidence and legal requirements.

The revised approval allows the CBI to continue criminal proceedings while keeping open the government’s option to challenge certain legal observations before higher judicial forums.

Former Officials Reject Allegations

Former KSCDC Chairperson R. Chandrasekharan has denied allegations of personal wrongdoing and said that decisions regarding procurement were taken collectively by the corporation’s board.

He has maintained that earlier reviews did not establish criminal intent and described the case as a result of internal disputes rather than deliberate financial misconduct.

The former officials will now face the judicial process, where the allegations and evidence presented by investigators will be examined by the court.

Case Raises Questions Over Public Procurement Oversight

The development has renewed debate over transparency and accountability in public sector procurement systems. Experts have highlighted the need for stronger monitoring mechanisms, independent audits, and improved price verification processes in government-owned institutions.

The case also underlines the importance of ensuring that large-scale public purchases, especially international commodity transactions, are supported by transparent evaluation systems and effective financial controls.

With prosecution approval granted, the CBI is expected to proceed with further legal steps, including presenting evidence before the court. The final outcome will depend on judicial examination of the investigation records and arguments from both sides.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has initiated a money laundering probe into an alleged organ trafficking network that operated across multiple states, shifting the focus of the investigation from illegal transplant activities to the financial mechanisms that allegedly funded and profited from the operation.

The agency has registered a case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and begun tracing the suspected proceeds of crime generated through the network. Officials are examining financial transactions, assets, and business links believed to be connected to the alleged racket.

Financial Transactions Under Detailed Examination

A specialized ED team has been tasked with investigating the financial structure of the suspected trafficking syndicate. Authorities are reportedly scrutinizing more than 40 bank accounts along with income tax records and other financial documents linked to individuals under investigation.

The objective is to identify the flow of funds, uncover beneficiaries of the alleged illegal activities, and locate assets that may have been acquired using proceeds generated through unlawful organ transplant operations.

Officials believe the financial investigation will help expose the broader network supporting the alleged trafficking ring and reveal how profits were distributed among those involved.

Investigation Expands Beyond Kanpur

The case emerged following action taken against a private healthcare facility in Kanpur, where authorities first uncovered evidence suggesting illegal organ transplant activities.

Since then, investigators have widened the scope of the inquiry to include multiple healthcare establishments across several cities, including Delhi-NCR, Lucknow, Meerut, and Dehradun. Law enforcement agencies suspect the network operated through a coordinated system involving recruiters, intermediaries, medical personnel, and facilitators.

According to investigators, economically vulnerable individuals were allegedly persuaded to donate kidneys in exchange for relatively small payments, while recipients were charged substantially higher amounts for transplant procedures.

Authorities suspect that profits generated through these transactions were invested in real estate, luxury assets, and other financial holdings.

Multiple Arrests Made in the Case

Police have already arrested several individuals in connection with the alleged racket, including healthcare professionals, hospital administrators, technical staff, and intermediaries accused of facilitating the procedures.

Investigators have identified key suspects believed to have coordinated donor recruitment, financial arrangements, and operational logistics. Authorities allege that some individuals misrepresented their qualifications while participating in activities linked to the network.

The arrests form part of a broader crackdown aimed at dismantling organized groups involved in illegal organ trade operations.

Hunt Continues for Additional Suspects

Law enforcement agencies are continuing efforts to locate additional suspects who remain absconding. Investigators are working across multiple jurisdictions to track medical professionals, technicians, and facilitators allegedly connected to the case.

The ED is coordinating with local police departments to review hospital records, financial transactions, communication data, and other evidence that may help establish the extent of the alleged operation.

Officials believe the ongoing investigation could uncover further links between healthcare facilities, financial beneficiaries, and individuals involved in the suspected trafficking network.

Focus on Proceeds of Crime

The money laundering probe is expected to play a critical role in identifying assets acquired through alleged illegal activities and freezing properties connected to the proceeds of crime.

Authorities stated that tracing the financial trail remains a priority as investigators seek to dismantle the economic foundation of the network and prevent future exploitation through similar schemes.

The case has drawn significant attention due to its alleged interstate reach and the involvement of vulnerable individuals who may have been targeted for illegal organ procurement.