New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Wednesday asked the Centre to explain as to why no show-cause notice was issued to Ravi Rishi-led Vectra group`s aviation firm, before withdrawing its security clearance with the DGCA subsequently scrapping its permit to operate its choppers.
Directing Additional Solicitor General (ASG) AS Chandhiok to seek instruction from the government on the issue of withdrawal of security clearance of aviation firm Global Vectra Helicorp Ltd (GVHl), Justice Vipin Sanghi posted the matter for Friday.
The court passed the order after GVHL`s counsel, senior advocate NK Kaul contended that the government has failed to establish the basis on which the decision was taken in the name of security.
"A show-cause notice should have been issued to the firm and at least a hearing should have been held, giving it the opportunity to place its argument on record," the lawyer said.
The lawyer also said the CBI probe against Ravi Rishi, who is one of the directors of the company and has three percent stake in it, cannot be the basis for blacklisting a company which has been supplying choppers for various purposes in the country since 1998.
The GVHL belongs to the Ravi Rishi’s Vectra group, which is the largest shareholder in Tatra Holdings owning the Czech truck manufacturer Tatra and is facing the CBI probe for allegedly supplying trucks at exorbitant price to the Indian Army.
With a fleet of 23 choppers, GVHL has on its clientele various oil companies and caters to their various onshore and offshore service needs. It also caters to tourist travels in Northeast India.
GVHL also operates flights to major shrines like Vaishno Devi and during the Amarnath Yatra.
Vectra Group of companies is engaged in aviation, heavy engineering, real estate, information and technology and security systems.
The Ministry of Home Affairs on May 7 had withdrawn GVHL`s security clearance, leading the DGCA to scrap its permit to operate here.
PTI
