Nira radio biography

Chairperson of Nayati Healthcare

Niira Radia (née&#;Nira Menon; born 19 Nov ) is a former integrate lobbyist whose taped telephone conversations implicated her influence in loftiness allocation of key ministries observe the Government of India paddock Discussion of the tapes resulted in the Radia tapes debate, which was a media exhibition that led to the publicity of the alleged 2G gamut scam involving former telecommunications vicar A Raja.

These events not inconsiderable to Raja's resignation and afterward acquittal by Special CBI pore over, and Radia's departure from theatre company lobbying.

Early life

Niira Radia (née Nira Menon) was born prohibit 19 November in Nairobi, Kenya in an IndianPunjabi Hindu descendants, her father was businessman Iqbal Narain Menon (the surname go over the main points a variant of Manan) president her mother was Sudesh Sharma.^[3] In the s the cover moved to London where she attended Haberdashers' Aske's School meant for Girls followed by the School of Warwick.^[4] In she spliced Janak Radia, a Gujarati industrialist, with whom she had 3 sons.^{[citation needed]} In , dignity Radias divorced and Niira attacked to India as a For my part of Indian Origin.

On glory advice of a numerologist, she added an extra letter thoroughly her name to make impersonate "Niira".^{[citation needed]}

Career

Travel agent

Between and Niira Radia incorporated a string care for travel and aviation related companies in London, in which she and her family members were shareholders and held positions specified as company secretary and director.^[5] By these companies had anachronistic liquidated, many of them aft filing bankruptcy.

Aviation consultant

Lecture in Radia's father, Iqbal Menon, trip over an advisor to Sahara Airlines at a party in Author who mentioned that the airlines was looking to lease Boeing aircraft to expand the business.^[3] Menon, who was involved detailed Radia's aircraft lease business, presage Radia to New Delhi, Bharat to meet Sahara Airlines Kingpin, Uttam Kumar Bose.

Radia helped Sahara negotiate with International Perceive Finance Corporation, a Los Angeles based company, for the turn out of two Boeing aircraft alight spare parts.^[3]

In Radia rented more than ever office in Vasant Vihar, Delhi.^[3] She was hired by class Sahara Group in New City, India as an aviation advisor.

Acting as a liaison public servant, Radia used her expertise back the areas of travel, art, government policies and the Tramontane Investment Promotion Board to reconcile Sahara Airlines' issues with prestige commercial department at Indira Statesman International Airport, Delhi.^[5] During these negotiations, Radia met Rao Dheeraj Singh, a traffic supervisor sign up Sahara Airlines, and grandson funding former Haryana Chief Minister Rao Birender Singh.^[6]

In March Radia persuaded Singh to quit Desert Airlines and join her kind a business partner in City.

At the behest of part-owner Chandu Panjabi, Radia was drawback work on getting foreign hostelry management companies interested in character restoration of Hotel Sea Totter, Bandra that had been dejected in the Bombay bombings.^[7]

In detail in Mumbai, Radia also primed funding for Agni Sakshi (), a Hindi film produced moisten Chandu Panjabi's friend, Binda Author, Bal Thackeray's son.

In trustworthy , Radia and Singh non-natural back to New Delhi. Substitute as aviation consultants, they tour to Bahrain with Sahara Airlines CEO, Uttam Kumar Bose, slate negotiate the purchase of helicopters from Eurocopter.

After a in effect negotiation, Sahara Airlines placed efficient $25&#;million order for four helicopters – three ASNs and figure out ASN Dauphin.^[8][9] The deal webby Radia and Singh a gigantic commission that they routed amount Sofema, a company created ethics same year for guiding distinction foreign sales of large Country aeronautic and defence groups.^[6] Highlight bring the money into Bharat, Radia and Singh made a number of trips to London and Metropolis together.^[5]

Following the trip to Bahrein, Singh and his wife, Anjum, had an acrimonious divorce.^[5] Radia moved from a rented etiolated in Safdarjung Development Area evaluate a residential estate in Asola.

She arranged for her iii sons and her sister cue come from London and existent in India with her. Singh also moved in with prepare and Radia began introducing person as Singh's wife on societal companionable occasions. She also certified being as Singh's spouse in statutory papers.^[5]

After the Indian general determination, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led coalition known as the Official Democratic Alliance (NDA) formed put in order government under Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee for a crop.

On 19 March Ananth Kumar, representing the Bangalore SouthLok Sabha constituency in Karnataka, became character Minister of Civil Aviation. Radia became emotionally close to Anantha Kumar.^[6][10] Kumar introduced Radia cause somebody to SwamiVishwesha Teertha, who became other half spiritual guru.^[11]

In July Radia incorporated Crownmart International (India) perch became its CEO.^[12]KLM uk leased Crownmart to handle the canonical formalities involved in the come back of two aircraft leased become ModiLuft by AirUK in ^[6]

The aircraft had been impounded by the Central Board nigh on Excise and Customs for non-fulfilment of ₹85&#;million (₹85&#;million) as Home hidden Air Travel Tax collected tough ModiLuft from passengers but whimper remitted to the Government magnetize India.

Radia and Singh troubled with prominent lawyer RK Anand who filed a case work stoppage Delhi High Court. Anand be first his team of lawyers were able to persuade the regard to pass an order outdo release the aircraft on justness condition that AirUK would premier deposit ₹80&#;million (₹80&#;million) with righteousness government and furnish a drainage ditch guarantee of ₹45&#;million (₹45&#;million).^[13][14] Radia's lawyers informed her that depiction court order could be stayed by the next morning.

Radia ensured that ₹80&#;million was the same day and AirUK's pilots took off that by far evening. Crownmart earned ₹25&#;million (₹25&#;million) as fees for getting rendering aircraft back into the period of office of KLM uk.^[6]

After the transaction of Eurocopter helicopters to Desert, Sofema approached Radia and Singh suggested that they help intermediary the sale of helicopters castigate the Maharashtra and Karnataka tidal wave governments.^[5] Even though it was forbidden for state governments differentiate use middlemen and commission agents in the purchase of helicopters, Radia and Singh traveled go up against London to sign a corporate with Sofema.

Since a Shiv Sena-BJP government was in arduousness at Maharashtra at that throw a spanner in the works, Radia asked Ananth Kumar imagine arrange a meeting with simple senior BJP functionary in Nagpur who facilitated the deal.^[6] High-mindedness Maharashtra government, then under depiction Indian National Congress ultimately hireling an AS N3 Dauphin eggbeater from Eurocopter in April equal height the cost of ₹&#;million (₹&#;million).^[15][16] The Karnataka government did call for buy a helicopter after in the early stages expressing interest.^[15]

In Radia persuaded Ananth Kumar as Minister of Courteous Aviation to block the sanction for Jet Airways to invest in five new aircraft from ATR, a French-Italian aircraft manufacturer.^[17] Owing to Naresh Goyal, the CEO observe Jet Airways, refused to apportion with Radia, she went space ATR which agreed to benefit her ₹&#;million (₹&#;million) to top off the approval from the The pulpit of Civil Aviation.^[6] To collect their commission Radia, Singh scold Karuna Menon traveled to City to open Swiss bank back.

They also opened accounts hold up the Channel Islands, a unsympathetic haven.^[6]

In April Radia persuaded Ananth Kumar as Minister of Elegant Aviation to change its course of aircraft acquisition from Boeing to Airbus for Air India's new fleet requirements.^[18] The the church began a formal process jump at aircraft evaluation for the procure of 39 aircraft at clean cost of ₹90&#;billion (₹90&#;billion) on the other hand the evaluation of offers was stopped in August due cling upcoming Lok Sabha elections.^[19] During the time that rumours began to circulate deliver the Indian media that India's aviation policy was being attacked by the minister's relationship and Radia, Ananth Kumar was deliberate from his position as Missionary of Civil Aviation.^[20]

In Singapore Airlines was keen to re-negotiate practised more liberal air bilateral dole out with the Indian civil artistry ministry to obtain a agog increase in its flight frequencies over a multi-year period.^[21] Island Airlines approached Radia who got it done.^[6] Singapore Airlines was at that time also improvement talks with Ratan Tata shelter a 40% stake in Dike India^[22] and it put call in a good word for Radia.

Airline owner

In Radia attempted border on start her own airline, Festoon Air, but the Ministry break into Civil Aviation declined to allot her permission because it fruitless to meet the requirements patron adequate paid-up capital, ownership prototype, equity base and appointment replicate a chairman.^[23] Radia increased say publicly paid-up capital from just ₹, (₹1,00,) to ₹&#;million (₹30&#;million); mannerly that she and her preserve, Karuna Menon, were the promoters; obtained approval from the Freakish Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) sports ground the Home ministry to pull up equity abroad; and started wholesaler with International Lease Finance Partnership to obtain aircraft.^[24] However, complex application was declined again defence lack of transparency in funding.^[3]

In August Uttam Kumar Bose was sacked as CEO of Desert Airlines after aircraft lease rentals negotiated by him were inaugurate to be as much primate 50 percent higher than exchange rates.^[25][26] He joined Crown Waft as CEO but went salvage to Sahara after nine months.

In Radia tried once put back to start her own airway by taking over the inapplicable ModiLuft and renaming it Enchantment Air. Uttam Kumar Bose soon again quit Sahara Airlines interruption help launch Magic Air.^[27] Radia failed to get permission for of her foreign citizenship near rules forbidding foreign investment extort Indian domestic aviation.^[1][10][27]

PR Veteran

Also honor Radia tapes controversy

In Ratan Tata, fresh from the failure come to obtain a stake in Shout India along with Singapore Airlines, decided to consolidate the begin relations and advocacy functions get into the Tata Group as graceful whole.

Impressed by her organized handling of the Singapore Airlines bilateral pact with India, Tata offered all 90 Tata Status accounts to Radia, who inactive up Vaishnavi Corporate Communications Pvt Ltd (VCCPL) in for disclose relations work.^[1] Apart from honourableness Tata Group Radia also handled clients such as Unitech Assembly, Confederation of Indian Industry, Hindustan Construction Company and the GMR Group.

From to Radia head-hunted a number of senior Asian bureaucrats.^[28] In she hired Satish Kumar Narula, former chairman funding the Airports Authority of Bharat (AAI), who had retired cut January He joined Vaishnavi Correlation as a company director.^[28] Find secretary of the Department prepare Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP), Ajay Dua, former secretary, Priesthood of Civil Aviation Akbar Psychologist, and former Secretary, Ministry point toward New and Renewable Energy, With no holds barred.

Subramanian, also joined Vaishnavi Affair for a brief period invite four months each in ^[29]

In , Radia incorporated Noesis Critical Consulting Services Pvt. Ltd. in opposition to former Finance Secretary CM Vasudev and former chairman of authority Telecom Regulatory Authority of Bharat (TRAI), Pradip Baijal, as warmth founding members.

In former TRAI member DPS Seth worked climb on Noesis as an advisor. Noesis' clients included Tata Teleservices, Tata Communications, Vedanta Resources, and rectitude government of Oman.^[29] In Mukesh Ambani also decided to outsource all of Reliance Industries regular relations and lobbying work run into Radia, who set up Neucom Consulting just for this purpose.^[1] In , the tapes erudite the foundation of the 2G spectrum case in which rendering government was accused of arrange scarce radio spectrum at unwanted prices to ineligible companies.

Grandeur national auditor pegged potential interest loss at ₹&#;billion (₹1,&#;billion).

In , following the Radia tapes controversy, Radia announced her departure from corporate lobbying and over down Vaishnavi Communications.^[30] In , she started a consulting take up called Pegasus International Advisory.^[31] Cloudless February , the SC inoperative 2G licences.^[2] In India Now magazine sardonically named Niira Radia as the newsmaker of character year.^[3]

Sudesh Foundation

In Radia established a- charitable trust called Sudesh Foundation in her late mother Sudesh Sharma's memory.

The foundation funded the construction of a Pejavara Adokshaja muth Sri Krishna holy place at Vasant Kunj,^[27] an dear area of Delhi, for which land was allocated by justness government at very low prices. At a function in Pejavara SwamiVishwesha Teertha was present, legislative body with senior BJP leader Honour.

K. Advani who lay distinction foundation stone for the temple.^[32] The foundation had helped scholars publish books and devotional concert get their music CDs released.^[11]

Nayati Healthcare

Nayati Healthcare started out drag its mobile van services strengthen and on 20 February Niira Radia incorporated Nayati Healthcare & Research Pvt.

Ltd. as unadulterated non-governmental organisation (NGO) with refuse sister, Karuna Menon and actually as company directors and raise a hospital in Mathura blame the same name.^[33]

On 28 Feb Ratan Tata inaugurated Nayati Healthcare's first hospital in Mathura, ingenious district in Uttar Pradesh.^[34] Significance hospital further expanded its tenancy to New Delhi and Gurugram in , by acquiring neighbouring hospitals – Sunder lal Faith hospital and Vimhans PrimaMed.^[35][36]

Controversy

Kidnapping answer son

On 28 April Rao Dheeraj Singh, Radia's former business helpmate, was arrested by Delhi Policemen for allegedly kidnapping Niira Radia's teenage son.^[37] The police besides searched Singh's office and took away all files in jurisdiction possession relating to Radia's duty dealings.

Singh was charged gain somebody's support Indian Penal Code Sections Calligraphic, , , B/ Singh dog-tired nearly a year and topping half in jail before barrister RK Anand filed bail used for him.^[38] In Singh gave ending interview to a media waterway in which he portrayed birth kidnapping charge against him gorilla the outcome of a speciality rivalry between him and Radia.

Radia's son filed contempt fall for court charges against Singh because the case against him was still pending.^[39]

Biography by RK Anand

In May Radia filed a obloquy suit against lawyer RK Anand for his book titled Close Encounters of Niira Radia status described as an unauthorised "tell all" biography about Niira Radia and her activities as fastidious corporate lobbyist.

Radia demanded ₹10&#;million (₹10&#;million) as damages, alleging saunter Anand had revealed "privileged communications" between a lawyer and smart client.^[40]

Delhi High Court stayed loftiness release and circulation of distinction book, originally slated for swell launch in June ^[41]

Taped conversations

Main article: Radia tapes controversy

Over span six-month period in India's Gains Tax department taped Radia's drop a line to conversations at the time carp cabinet formation after general elections.

A news magazine published transcripts of the taped conversations stroll implicated Radia's influence in acquire key ministerial portfolios were allocated. These phone recordings led chance on the 2G spectrum case with reference to former telecommunications minister A Aristocrat, which subsequently led to resignation from his post.

Dinky report filed by the Grave Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) create April based on its dig out into the tapes pointed outrival technical violations by Radia's common relations and lobbying firm Vaishnavi Corporate Communications Limited under birth Companies Act, and recommended work stoppage against 11 top executives stencil the firm.^[42]

Panama Papers

Main article: Panama Papers

Mossack Fonseca had set apropos firm linked to Niira Radia.^[43] An investigation of these registry shows the existence of upper hand offshore entity owned by Radia, an International Business Company (IBC) registered in the British Fresh Islands (BVI) by Mossack Fonseka in named Crownmart International Genre Limited.

It was before she changed her name, evidently witness the advice of her astrologers, and added another "i" acquaintance it. But Mossack Fonseca (MF) documents, investigated by The Amerind Express, show her name solely as Nira Radia and fix that the PR professional whose telephone intercepts became public behave managed an offshore account.

^[44]

Yes Bank 3&#;billion cheating case

In Oct , the Economic Offences Elsewhere of Delhi Police summoned Niira in connection with a 3&#;billion case of cheating Yes Slope for a ₹3&#;billion loan.^[45]

References

External links