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- By Parinda News Bureau, January 20, 2007, 17:00 IST
A revolver and ammunition were recovered from the baggage of industrialist Nusli Wadia at the Dubai airport last week.
On January 14, the Dubai police reportedly questioned him for about 45 minutes when he arrived in the city.
The chief of Bombay Dyeing had flown to Dubai by an Air India flight from Mumbai. The revolver and cartridges were kept in Wadia's check-in baggage and were found when it was being screened at the Dubai Airport.
The CISF, is in charge of security at the airport said it only checks the hand baggage of passengers. Checked-in luggage is the responsibility of the airline which checks all baggage of a passenger as soon as he enters an airport.
Nusli Wadia had no perks as a VIP. The Government of India issues a list of VIPs who're not frisked when they board the plane. Their hand baggage too is not screened. However Wadia is not on the list, according to a report by NDTV.
Air India when asked said in a statement,"At Air India, security is our topmost priority. We have taken a serious view of this incident. Based on initial inquiries, the person who was in charge of handling the X-ray of the baggage has been suspended. We are investigating the matter further. Strict action will be taken against any other person/persons if found guilty."
The air line staff on duty that day has been identified and asked to explain, say sources.
The bureau of civil aviation and security has already instituted an enquiry into the incident.
"Bureau of civil aviation security has identified and recommended suspension of these employees to the concerned airlines," said Maushumi Chakrabarty, Director, Media and Communications, Ministry of Civil Aviation.
"It's not the fault of CISF but the airline staff which handles the check-in baggage. The passenger should have taken the permission of bureau of civil aviation security. The local police have to take necessary action," Chakrabarty added.
Any licensed firearm needs the permission of the BCAS before it's carried on board a flight and on international flights additional permission is required from the country the passenger's traveling to.
But as Wadia says he had no knowledge of the pistol in his bag, no permissions were taken
Meanwhile Nusli Wadia's spokesperson has issued a clarification. It says,
"Mr Wadia was scheduled to fly on Emirates Airlines on a 7:15 pm (local time) flight on January 13, 2007 when he was informed at noon that the airline cancelled and re-scheduled him for the next day.
He decided to then take the Air India flight at 2: 15 pm (IST). Since he had to leave in a great hurry he asked his help at home to complete packing his bags for taking to the airport.
The help inadvertently packed a wash bag containing a licensed firearm, which was lying in his closet unused for several years. It was very similar to one containing his washroom articles in his check-in bag.
Hence Mr Wadia was unaware of the presence of the firearm in his check in baggage. On arrival at the Mumbai Airport, the bag was checked in and normal security procedures were followed.
On arrival at the Dubai airport, the firearm was discovered to Mr Wadia's great surprise and shock while retrieving his luggage.
On ascertaining the facts from his home, which was shared with the Dubai authorities, who were most understanding and helpful, Mr Wadia was not detained and permitted to leave the airport.
He was given a receipt for collection on his departure from Dubai. It is therefore, evident that this is a freak accident resulting in an inadvertent mistake by his help."
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