Case against BJP MPs, others for forcing officials for Air clearance

New Delhi: BJP MPs and others have been named in an FIR filed with the Jharkhand Police over their alleged intrusion into the Air Traffic Control (ATC) at the Deoghar airport on August 31, forcing officials for a 'night take-off clearance' when there is no such facility available.

The FIR named BJP Lok Sabha MP Nishikant Dubey, his two sons, MP Manoj Tiwari, Deoghar airport director on a complaint from Suman Anand, who is security in-charge of the airport. His complaint reads the entry of BJP leaders into the ATC is a breach of all 'safety standards.'

Deoghar Deputy Commissioner Manjunath Bhajantri in a letter narrating the incident that took place on August 31 to the Principal Secretary, Cabinet-Coordination (Civil Aviation), Jharkhand said that as per the norms air services have to be conducted before sunset which was at 18.03 hours in local time.

The BJP leaders made their way into the ATC room when the air services for the day were up and the pilot and the passengers were pressuring for clearance to take off, which was given later, the letter said.

"The security in-charge has mentioned that he was shocked and alarmed due to the presence of passengers in the ATC room and such actions are a breach of airport security standards. Security in charge further noticed that the pilot and the passengers were pressurising that they may be given clearance for the take-off. As a result, the ATC clearance was given," the letter added.

"Nine persons, including both the MPs — Nishikant Dubey and Manoj Tiwari — and the airport director were booked under IPC sections 336 (act endangering life or personal safety of others), 447 (punishment for criminal trespass), 448 (punishment for house-trespass)," said Kunda police station in-charge Praveen Kumar.