Shahbaz Khan says he will never forget the humiliation of being deplaned,under escort,in front of 364 other passengers and crew following a terror hoax,and then being made to stand on the tarmac for 30 minutes. Businessman Khan and wife Munira,50,were to attend a wedding in Dubai. They had no cause to worry when Emirates flight EK 505 missed its scheduled departure and was taken to the remote bay,with no explanation. That was until 10.35 am,when an airline staff member walked towards him looking for the occupant of 17F. He asked if I was Shahbaz Khan. Then,in full view of all the passengers,he asked me to step out and said the airline was offloading me. I was given no explanation. CISF men had surrounded the aircraft. I was made to stand on the tarmac for 30 minutes. Khan said an Emirates official arrived with police officers and briefed him about a phone call that alleged he was a terrorist and a security threat. By then,an immigration officer had already gone to the familys Fort home and taken down details of every member,Khans younger son Aslam said. At 10.35 am,an officer from the immigration department had come over. When I asked him what the matter was,he said I should call up the airport and check as it was a very serious matter. When Khan was being deplaned,Aslam and brother Aarif were already on their way to Sahar police station,he said,adding both were detained. On Tuesday,Aslam alleged the police used force while interrogating them. DCP (Zone VIII) Brijesh Singh said the police would look into the allegation. Khan said all other passengers were deplaned after 30 minutes and sent to the transit terminal,but he was made to stay on the tarmac. I am diabetic and have blood pressure but nobody listened to me. Khan was then taken to the terminal and interrogated by IB,Special Branch,Customs and CID officials. All cleared me but they then took me to the police station. Khan said he will sue the government for the treatment meted out to him. They cleared my wife and told her she could go but without her luggage, he added. Aslam and Aarif were let off Monday after their voices were analysed against the callers. Khan was escorted home at 10.30 Sunday night. Suresh Chavan,the alleged caller,remains at large.
