The Hindu : National : Minister slapped me: airline official

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Nov 05, 2008
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

National

National

Minister slapped me: airline official

Patna: A first information report (FIR) has been registered against Akhilesh Prasad Singh, Union Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, for allegedly abusing and assaulting an airline official at the airport here after he was disallowed to board a flight to Kolkata as he reported late, the police said on Tuesday.

The FIR was lodged at the airport police station on Monday night.

“I have lodged a case against Mr. Singh for abusing and slapping me in front of airport officials and others when I expressed my helplessness to accommodate him on board the aircraft scheduled to depart for Kolkata,” said Sagar Nath Das, airport manager of Kingfisher Airlines. — IANS

No, says Minister

Kolkata Special Correspondent reports:

However, the Minister denied the allegations.On his arrival in Kolkata by train from Patna on Tuesday, he said, “I did not do anything like that,” when journalists drew his attention to reports of assault. When informed of the FIR, Mr. Singh said, “Let the police look into the charge.”

“I was earlier booked on the flight but he [the airlines official] did not give me a boarding pass. I then told him he should do so as I am going [to Kolkata] to attend an important conference.”

“I reached the airport at 8.15 p.m. and the flight was scheduled for departure at 8.30 p.m.,” he added. When he was not granted the boarding pass, Mr. Singh decided to take the train.

He said he would inform the Civil Aviation Ministry of the matter.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

National