Air India Seeks BCAS Clarification After CJP Leaders Detained Aboard Flight By Delhi Police

The airline has sought clarity on protocols governing police access to passenger aircraft after three Cockroach Janata Party members were taken into custody upon arrival in Delhi on October 10.

Air India has approached the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) seeking clarification on the protocols for police personnel entering a passenger aircraft, following the detention of three Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) leaders aboard its Mumbai-Delhi flight on October 10, according to The Hindu.

The airline has reportedly questioned why it was not informed beforehand about the police operation, which took place shortly after flight AI 2428 landed at Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi.

CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke and party members Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were travelling to the capital to participate in a protest at Jantar Mantar seeking the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in electoral rolls.

Police board aircraft at remote parking bay

The flight arrived in Delhi at approximately 10.18 am on Saturday. Instead of being directed to a regular stand connected to an aerobridge, the aircraft was moved to remote parking bay R12 near Terminal 3's international wing.

As reported by The Hindustan Times, citing people familiar with the operation, the change in parking arrangements was communicated through air traffic control and reportedly caught the airline's security team by surprise.

Before boarding the aircraft, airline security personnel frisked the police and security officers for weapons. A passenger stair vehicle was subsequently positioned alongside the plane, allowing the police team to enter the aircraft.

The officers then approached the row where the three CJP leaders were seated and detained them from seats 7A, 7B and 7C. The action unfolded inside the aircraft in front of other passengers.

Videos circulated from the flight showed police personnel approaching the activists and escorting them away following their arrival in Delhi.

Dipke records detention aboard flight

Dipke recorded the incident on video as the police approached the trio. In the footage, he informed viewers that officers had entered the aircraft shortly after it landed.

As the police informed the three men that they were being detained, Dipke questioned the action and accused the authorities of targeting the party over its planned protest.

The incident has raised questions about the procedure followed during the operation, prompting Air India to seek clarification from BCAS on the rules governing police access to an aircraft and the circumstances under which airlines should be informed in advance.

The regulator's clarification is expected to address the procedural questions raised by the airline. Whether the police action violated any established protocol has not been established in the reports cited.