Date:10/04/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/04/10/stories/2008041053631300.htm

National

MP’s eviction: BCAS begins investigation

Staff Reporter

MALAPPURAM: The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) has begun an inquiry into the incident that led to the eviction of Indian Union Muslim League’s Rajya Sabha member P.V. Abdul Wahab from an Air India flight at the Calicut International Airport in Karipur on Monday.

P. Gouri Shankar, Regional Deputy Commissioner of Security, BCAS, will visit Karipur on Saturday as part of the investigation. He will question the airline manager who was on duty at the time of the incident. Sources in BCAS said Mr. Shankar would also collect statements of the airline and other officials at the airport.

The pilot of Air India’s flight IC 998, Rajat Rana, refused to fly with Mr. Wahab on board following an altercation they had over the delay of the flight. According to witnesses, Mr. Wahab told the pilot he was a glorified driver and Mr. Rana retorted that people like Mr. Wahab were not fit to rule the country.

Mr. Wahab was forced to get off the flight as the pilot insisted that the former was a threat and that he would not take off with him on board. Mr. Wahab travelled to Dubai by another flight in less than an hour after the incident.

The airline has launched an investigation into the incident. A statement of the airline staff on duty was recorded and submitted to the Air India executive director, Southern Region. The executive director is expected to send a final report to the higher-ups after recording the statement of Captain Rajat Rana.

Mr. Wahab too has threatened to take up the issue with the Privileges Committee of Parliament.