Kalam frisking ‘absolutely unpardonable’, says Praful Patel (Lead)
July 21st, 2009 - 2:35 pm ICT by IANSNew Delhi, July 21 (IANS) Holding that the frisking of former president A.P.J. Abdul Kalam was “absolutely unpardonable”, the government said Tuesday an inquiry had been ordered and Continental Airlines of the US issued notice for its action that was in “wilful violation” of Indian laws.
“The frisking was absolutely unpardonable,” Minister of State for Civil Aviation Praful Patel said in the Rajya Sabha. “Action will be taken in accordance with the sentiments of the house.”
The statement came after MPs from across the spectrum expressed outrage over Kalam being reportedly subjected to a full body check and even asked to remove his footwear as he waited on the aerobridge of the Newark-bound flight at the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) recently.
“Continental Airlines has been issued a showcause notice under section 11A of the Aircraft Act for wilful violation of the law,” Patel said.
“The frisking or action per se was was absolutely wrong. The former president and other such dignitaries are exempt from such frisking,” Patel pointed out.
After Leader of Opposition Arun Jaitley had raised the issue in the house during zero hour, Deputy Chairman K. Rahman Khan said: “It is the unanimous sentiment of the house that this is a very serious matter. I hope the government will take note and take appropriate action.”
Patel also denied reports that security operations at the airport had been outsourced.
“Security has not been outsourced. It is still the responsibility of the CISF (Central Industrial Security Force). This incident involved the security of the airline at the embarkation point,” Patel pointed out.
- Continental Airlines gets notice for Kalam frisking (Second Lead) - Jul 21, 2009
- Police case against Continental for frisking Kalam; unavoidable, says airline (Night Lead) - Jul 21, 2009
- Notice to Continental for Kalam frisking; unavoidable, says airline (Third Lead) - Jul 21, 2009
- Frisking case: Kalam denies receiving any apology - Jul 23, 2009
- Police case against airline staff for frisking Kalam - Jul 21, 2009
- Continental apologises to Kalam over frisking - Jul 22, 2009
- Govt. of India slaps show cause notice to Continental Airlines on Kalam issue - Jul 21, 2009
- Kalam frisking will be probed: Praful Patel - Jul 21, 2009
- Government summons Continental Airlines officials - Jul 24, 2009
- Continental Airlines apologises to former President Dr. Kalam for frisking - Jul 22, 2009
- F.I.R filed against Continental Airlines in Kalam frisking incident - Jul 21, 2009
- Kalam frisking: No case registered against airline - Jul 25, 2009
- Govt. to file case against Continental Airlines on Kalam issue - Jul 21, 2009
- 'Kalam had no problems with frisking' - Jul 21, 2009
- Centre knew about Kalam frisking - Jul 22, 2009
Tags: abdul kalam, central industrial security, civil aviation, continental airlines, deputy chairman, dignitaries, embarkation point, former president, indira gandhi, indira gandhi international airport, leader of opposition, minister of state, mps, outrage, praful patel, rajya sabha, section 11a, security force, security operations, sentiments