The Punjab government has chartered a 15-seater aircraft to fly back Sant Niranjan Dass, the injured leader of Dera Sachkhand, and the body of his deputy, Sant Ramanand, who was murdered in Vienna on May 24.

The Bombardier Challenger 850 from the aircraft rental firm Span Air will leave New Delhi for the Austrian capital Tuesday, and return on June 3. A top Punjab government official and a doctor will make the trip that is expected to cost the state exchequer at least Rs 80 lakh.

A senior official detailed the costs involved in the operation. “The state government could end up spending around Rs 90 lakh. The company is charging a concessional rate of around Rs 3.5 lakh per hour for the total 20-hour round trip. That adds up to Rs 70 lakh. Overflying charges will come to around $12,000 or Rs 6 lakh. Besides, there are some other charges,” the official said.

Other expenses include transport in Vienna and euro 160 for a night’s stay in a hotel for the three-member team of D S Guru, principal secretary to Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, Dr Rahul Sharma of Sangrur Civil Hospital and a pharmacist.

The Challenger 850 is one of the largest business jets available, and can fly at up to 850 km/hr. It’ll stop for an hour to refuel, probably in Jordan, both while going and returning from Vienna.

“Sant Niranjan Dass’s private doctor and a few followers will be on the return flight, which is expected to be full. Some packed food will be stored on board,” said an official.

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