KUALA LUMPUR (June 19): AirAsia Group Bhd (AAGB) has strongly refuted all allegations made in a First Information Report (FIR) by the Indian Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) against the airline, its group chief executive officer (CEO) Tan Sri Tony Fernandes and deputy CEO Bo Lingam based on information from an unnamed "reliable source".

In a statement today, AAGB described the allegations as baseless, unsupported and unjustified and will vigorously challenge these allegations.

"We question the motives of the unnamed person, persons or organisation that lodged this FIR but we will co-operate fully with the Indian authorities in accordance with due process provided in law," it said.

Earlier this month, the Times of India (ToI), citing two unnamed sources, said the CBI had sent a notice to Fernandes via email.

According to ToI, the sources said the CBI intended to question Fernandes regarding approval from the Foreign Investment Promotion Board to invest in India, as well as his efforts allegedly to get the "5/20" rule of civil aviation policy changed so AirAsia could start international operations there.

"He is also accused of pressuring former AirAsia India Ltd CEO Mittu Chandilya to pursue changes in regulatory policies for international aviation in India suitable to the company," ToI had said.

AAGB said unknown public servants have engaged in a criminal conspiracy involving AirAsia Bhd, AirAsia India, Fernandes, Lingam, four other named parties and unknown public servants and unknown private persons to expedite the approval process and change in aviation policies to suit AirAsia India by lobbying with stakeholders in the Government of India through non-transparent means.

"AAGB would like to reiterate in no uncertain terms that therefore, all the allegations in the FIR are unfounded and are without any rational basis and are wholly inconceivable in the context of corporate governance norms in Malaysia.

"Accordingly AAGB denies all allegations of wrongdoing and will pursue all legal remedies available to address these allegations," it said.

At the midday break today, AAGB dipped 0.94% or 3 sen to RM3.16 with 2.85 million shares done.