This is way beyond belief. It kind of defies all logic. The Indian media picked up the story belatedly but, thankfully, they have. It is alleged that Captain Utpal Banerjee (Ex Indian Navy, Flying for the textile company Raymonds) was the commander of the chopper taking Indian BJP leader and heavyweight politician Mr. Gopinath Munde to Bhind for the election campaign. After finishing his work there Mr. Munde wanted to go to some other places which was neither in the flight plan nor cleared by the ATC.
When Capt Banerjee refused to fly him to these new destinations without permission he was told “I will have to beat you with my shoes.”
When the pilot asked him to mind his language and display common courtesy this VIP began to lose ghis cool. The goons around Mr. Munde then physically attacked the pilot and crew. The captain was hurt a little as he tried to defend himself but the flight engineer suffered a burst eardrum.
No action was taken against this gang of scoundrels. Why? Very simple. Do the math. They (the owners of the helicopter) did not want to upset the powerful politico so the whole episode was hushed up. The pretense was that it was blown out of proportion. But now that it is out in the media everyone is getting on the case.
Having been roundly snubbed the crew is fighting its own battle and taking up with the matter with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation. So these are the changes we are talking about?
Will the DGCA take any action to ensure operators and users abide by their rules and safety? No one is taking any bets on it but a Public Interest Litigation seems on the cards.
Why are these sanctimonious politicians so nasty and stupid and think they are exempt from legal operating procedures.
Blame that Kejriwal guy for giving Indians a peep into what could be the road to utopia and then crashing the truck and running away. Things are back to the same old nonsense…come on, Mr. Modi, take a stand.
