VIJAY DEO JHA
Ranchi, Sept 3: Another episode of the battle between BJP Lok Sabha MP Nishikant Dubey and Deoghar DC Manjunath Bhajantri has unfolded as Jharkhand Police lodged an FIR against Nishikant Dubey, MP Manoj Tiwari Deoghar airport director, and others for forcefully taking clearance from Air Traffic Control (ATC) for take-off from Deoghar airport on August 31.
In the FIR lodged on September 1 by the security in-charge Suman Anand at Kunda police station, it has been alleged that the MP misused his power for take-off despite Deoghar airport doesn’t have a night take-off or landing facility.
In the complaint, it has been alleged that Nishikant Dubey and other persons violated all safety standards by entering the ATC room and further forced officials to give necessary clearance for the take-off.
As per the FIR in the possession of lagatar24.com, Nishikant Dubey’s sons Kaniska and Mahikant, pilot of the charted plane, Mukesh Pathak, Devtaa Pandey, Pintu Tiwari and AAI Director Sandip Dhingra besides one Sheshadri Dubey have been made accused. They had come to Dumka to meet family members of Ankita Kumari Singh who was burnt to death by Shahrukh Hussain.
Deoghar DC, who on September 2, shot a letter to the Principal Secretary, Cabinet-Coordination (Civil Aviation), said that the pilot came out of the plane and casually started walking towards the ATC.
“Also, on August 31, the local sunset timing was 18.03 hours… air services are to be conducted up to 17.30 hours. Dubey and others came inside the ATC room…the security in-charge said that the pilot and the passengers were pressuring for clearance to take off, which was given,” the letter said.
The officer in charge of Kunda police station Praveen Kumar has stated that FIR was lodged against nine persons including both the MPs and the airport director under sections of the IPC 336 (act endangering life or personal safety of others), 447 (punishment for criminal trespass), 448 (punishment for house-trespass.
FIR triggered war of words between Deoghar DC and Nishikant Dubey
Nishikant Dubey alleged that Deoghar DC always acted as a political and personal agent of Chief Minister Hemant Soren. “The DC has long been harassing me with false cases. He has no probity of becoming an IAS. He has so much of a problem with Deoghar airport that he is creating hurdles in night time landing and take-off facilities,” said Dubey.
Nishikant Dubey claimed that Delhi police too have lodged an FIR against Manjunath Bhajantri under sections 124 B, 353, 120 B, 441, 448, 201, and 506 of IPC and 2/2 of the Official Secrets Act. But he has not clarified in what context the Deoghar DC was booked by Delhi police. But it is surmised that Nishikant Dubey also accused Deoghar DC of unauthorized entry on Deoghar airport premises.
Twitter was flooded with arguments and counterarguments and both hurled accusations at each other.
Deoghar DC in his reply on Twitter said that the night landing matter was sub-judice. “But, when the night landing facility/IFR is not there, and so many flights get cancelled every other day, how did your chartered plane take off at 1817hours when the sunset time was 1803hours?” he questioned. DC further said that Godda MP was not authorized to enter ATC Room either alone or along with his children and supporters.
Nishikant Dubey made a quick riposte and said that he had taken necessary permission from the airport authority and as the chairperson of the Airport Advisory Committee he has the right to inspect. MP asked Deoghar DC Who gave him permission to enter the CCTV room, apron, and ATC tower? “You breached all the norms. Pathetic,” Nishikant Dubey tweeted.
Nishikant Dubey has shot a letter to Deoghar SP to lodge an FIR against Manjunath Bhajantri for his unauthorized entry into the ATC building, preventing him from discharging his duties as chairperson of the Airport Advisory Committee and other charges.
