The Hindu : Front Page : Copter pilots held for breach of security

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Dec 18, 2007
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Copter pilots held for breach of security

Crew misbehave with security personnel

Helicopter seized, case registered
Deccan Aviation defends pilot

Bilaspur: A pilot and a co-pilot were arrested on Monday for alleged breach of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s security when they landed a helicopter at a helipad here when he was about to take off.

Pilot Col. K. Mehta and co-pilot Col. S.M. Sehgal landed the helicopter belonging to Deccan Aviation for picking up Congress leader R.K. Dhawan even as Dr. Singh was about to take off for Palampur for addressing an election rally, Additional Superintendent of Police Bimal Bupta said.

The make-shift helipad already had three helicopters waiting for the VVIP take off, sources said adding that the Deccan Aviation crew virtually force-landed despite warnings from the ground staff.

Police said the helicopter was seized after the crew allegedly misbehaved with security personnel. A case of breaching of Prime Minister’s security was lodged, they said.

The Additional SP said the crew members were charged under the provisions of the Air Traffic Control rules and under Section 336 of the IPC dealing with acts endangering life and personal safety.

State IGP (Central Range) P.L. Thakur said the pilots were released because these were bailable offences.

Deccan defends pilot

In New Delhi, Deccan Aviation defended its pilot, claiming he took necessary clearance from authorities and was not told of Dr. Singh’s movement.

A spokesperson said the impounded helicopter was on a scheduled flight and was cleared by the ATC and Air Defence authorities.

However, on approaching Bilaspur, the helicopter landed “close to some IAF helicopter. On landing, the pilot was told by the local police and Special Protection Group people that the IAF helicopter had flown the Prime Minister to Bilaspur,” the spokesperson said.

The aviation company wanted a thorough probe to “ascertain as to where the lapse was committed. It is also important that necessary steps or procedures should be initiated to avoid similar incidents in future.” — PTI

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