Mumbai: Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel stationed at the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport on Monday nabbed two passengers with empty ammunition cartridges. CISF officers said both men were detained at the domestic terminal during the pre-embarkation security check.
The first passenger, Ayas Kant Sahu, was scheduled to take a 7:05 a.m. SpiceJet flight to Hyderabad, while Ranchit Chandra was booked on the 9:55 a.m. GoAir flight to Delhi. Their baggage was taken aside for detailed examination after a baggage scan showed it contained cartridges.
K.N. Tripathy, DIG, CISF, said, “Our officers found five empty cartridges on their person during physical checking of their baggage. They were unable to produce licenses or any kind of documentation for the cartridges.”
Officials said two empty cartidges of 7.62 mm caliber and one of 2.27 mm caliber were recovered from Mr. Sahu, while two empty cartridges of 0.32 mm caliber were recovered from Mr. Chandra. “The source of the cartridges and the purpose behind the passenger carrying them is still being investigated,” Mr. Tripathy said.
After being questioned, the duo was handed over to the Airport police station for further investigation. The police recorded their contact details and released them after making diary entries in connection with the incident. “We are verifying whether there was any malafide intention behind the possession of the cartridges and will decide on further course of action after inquiries are complete,” DCP Anil Kumbhare (Zone VIII) said.
