‘Security breach’ at airport: man held

Upon checking and interrogation,the man,identified as Ajit Kumar Pandey,was found with forged airport entry passes issued by the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS).

Sources said Pandey confessed to his involvement in illegal recruitment of loaders and drivers for national carrier Air India in return for money.

He told investigators he helped the illegally recruited loaders and drivers procure forged airport entry passes to enter the high-security premises.

Pandey said till December 2009 he worked with a contractor hired by the National Aviation Company of India Limited (NACIL),CISF sources said.

Airport sources said Pandey was in possession of two airport entry passes issued by the BCAS — one of these was valid till December 31,2009,and the other till December 2012.

Not revealing details,sources said several objectionable documents related to civil aviation security were also found on him,apart from several photocopies of character and antecedent verification forms issued by the BCAS.

Two mobile phones and nearly Rs 10,000 in cash were also seized from him,sources said.

“He has confessed to taking money fraudulently from people to help them get jobs and entry inside the airport,” an official close to the investigations said.

Pandey was then handed over to the Delhi Police. As a preventive measure,he was booked under Sections 92 and 97 of the Delhi Police Act. Police officials said investigations in the case were on.

Even as the documents and photographs found in Pandey’s possession were being verified,officials suspect a gang is operating at the airport using fraudulent means to gain access.

“We have sought a report from the BCAS to verify details pertaining to the papers found from the man. The offence will be established after that. The Delhi Police can then book him under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code,” O P Mishra,Deputy Commissioner of Police (Airport),told Newsline.