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PIL wants Air India's Boeing jets grounded until checks

PIL wants Air India's Boeing jets grounded until checks

Time of India7 hours ago

A
Public Interest Petition
(PIL) has been filed in the
Supreme Court
seeking urgent directions for suspension of operations of all
Boeing aircraft
operated by
Air India
until a
safety audit
is carried out.
The plea has been moved in the wake of the recent crash of an Air India Boeing aircraft operating on the Ahmedabad-London route which killed 241 passengers and crew members onboard and 29 persons on the ground.
The petitioner,
Advocate Ajay Bansal
, has urged the top court to ensure
passenger safety
and statutory compliance with respect to Air India's operations. The plea states that Bansal and his wife travelled on Air India flight AI 127 from Delhi to Chicago on May 20. They were seated in the Business Class but found the seats non-functional, the in-flight entertainment system inoperative and the air-conditioning not working until cruising altitude.
by Taboola
by Taboola
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Tea Estates, Bungalows, Luxury Cars, Bribes: Inside Bengal's Jobs Scam As ED Digs Deeper
Tea Estates, Bungalows, Luxury Cars, Bribes: Inside Bengal's Jobs Scam As ED Digs Deeper

News18

time33 minutes ago

  • News18

Tea Estates, Bungalows, Luxury Cars, Bribes: Inside Bengal's Jobs Scam As ED Digs Deeper

Last Updated: The ED has attached bungalows valued at Rs 27.19 crore, factories, and vehicles linked to three tea estates allegedly used to launder the bribe money in the cash-for-jobs scam At least 25,000 'vitiated and tainted" appointments as termed by the Supreme Court, Rs 636.88 crore in assets attached by the ED, a broken education system under siege: what began as murmurs of irregularities in teacher and staffer recruitment process in West Bengal has exploded into one of India's major cash-for-jobs scams. The state education minister, senior officials, several middlemen, and an entire political ecosystem that allowed this corruption to fester, are all implicated. As Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's government reels from the weight of the SSC recruitment scam, the Enforcement Directorate has intensified its crackdown in the case. It has already been probing the scam for more than three years and had arrested state education minister Partha Chatterjee in 2022. In the latest, the ED has attached bungalows valued at Rs 27.19 crore, factories, and vehicles linked to three tea estates allegedly used to launder the bribe money. This action follows the Supreme Court's scathing indictment of the recruitment process. CORRUPTION-FUNDED REAL ESTATE AND RICHES From bungalows and tea factories to vehicles, plants and its machinery, the seized assets are part of an elaborate web of corruption built on the backs of desperate job seekers, as per ED. Illegally collected cash from thousands of undeserving candidates allegedly funded the real estate empire of Prasanna Kumar Roy, identified as the primary middleman – all under the guise of Group C and D government recruitment. The ED's Kolkata zonal office has confirmed that the properties were held under the names of M/s Samsing Organic Tea Pvt Ltd, M/s Yangtong Organic Tea Pvt Ltd, and M/s Bamandanga Tea Estate Pvt Ltd. These firms are allegedly linked to Roy, who is now in jail. 'The attached assets include several luxury bungalows, industrial plants, and vehicles, purchased with cash siphoned off from desperate job seekers who were promised government posts in exchange for money," an ED official said. In a statement on Tuesday (June 24), the ED said it had earlier attached properties worth Rs 219.91 crore in this case and arrested Roy and Chandan Mondal (Roy's main agent; both are presently in judicial custody. 'In a related case of Assistant Teacher Recruitment Scam (SSC Asst. Teachers 9th to 12th), the ED has earlier attached properties worth Rs. 238.78 crore. In another case of Primary Teachers Recruitment Scam in the state, ED has already attached and seized properties worth Rs. 151 Crore. Thus, the total attachment by ED Kolkata in the recruitment scam cases now stands at Rs. 636.88 Crore," said a statement. In April, the SC in its observation stated: 'In our opinion, this is a case wherein the entire selection process has been vitiated and tainted beyond resolution. Manipulations and frauds on a large scale, coupled with the attempted cover-up, have dented the selection process beyond repair and partial redemption." CASE, CANCELLATIONS, CANDIDATES Outside the gates of Bikash Bhavan, protesting teachers and staffers – whose appointments were cancelled by the court order – include victims and also those hired under tainted appointments. They have staged a sit-in for months, demanding justice, jobs, and a cleansing of the recruitment process. Their anger has often spiralled into the gheraos. The extent of corruption is reflected in the SC judgment that declared the entire selection process 'vitiated and tainted", upholding the Calcutta High Court's order of cancelling over 25,000 teaching and non-teaching appointments made through the West Bengal Central School Service Commission (SSC). The investigations were launched following FIRs registered under relevant sections of the IPC and the Prevention of Corruption Act, revealing a web of fake merit lists, bribe collection, and systematic bypassing of recruitment norms. The revelations during the course of investigation are politically explosive. But, the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) has dismissed ED action as 'vendetta". First Published:

Airport inspections lift lid on safety gaps
Airport inspections lift lid on safety gaps

Hindustan Times

time36 minutes ago

  • Hindustan Times

Airport inspections lift lid on safety gaps

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said on Tuesday it has uncovered safety violations during surprise surveillance checks at major airports, ordering airlines and airport operators to implement corrective measures within seven days as part of a comprehensive safety review of the country's aviation sector launched after the deadly Air India crash in Ahmedabad. The wreckage of the Air India aircraft which crashed during take-off in Ahmedabad being lifted. (REUTERS) The aviation regulator conducted intensive night and early morning surveillance operations at Delhi and Mumbai airports and found what officials described as systemic lapses across aircraft maintenance, ground operations, and airport infrastructure. The enhanced oversight, initiated through an order issued on June 19 — a week after the Air India crash that killed at least 271 people — represents one of the most comprehensive safety assessments of India's aviation ecosystem in recent years, with similar reviews planned for Hyderabad and Kolkata airports. The surveillance revealed critical maintenance-related violations that directly impact flight safety, the regulator said in a statement. 'At places, AMEs [aircraft maintenance engineers] were not attending to snag rectification; defect reports generated by the aircraft system were not found recorded in the technical logbook; several life vests were not properly secured beneath their designated seats,' the DGCA revealed. AMEs are part of companies that run engineering and maintenance services. Typically, they are part of the airline but can at times include contractors. The regulator did not identify any specific provider. During aircraft maintenance, inspectors discovered that prescribed work orders were not being followed. More seriously, unserviceable thrust reverser systems and Flap Slat Levers — devices used by pilots to extend or retract wing flaps and slats during takeoff and landing — were not properly locked as required by safety protocols. The DGCA found that aircraft maintenance engineers were not taking mandatory safety precautions as specified in Aircraft Maintenance Manuals, creating potential hazards during maintenance operations. Ground handling operations showed significant deficiencies, with essential equipment including baggage trolleys found in unserviceable condition. Line maintenance facilities were operating without proper tool control procedures, violating established safety protocols. At the airport infrastructure level, inspectors found faded runway centreline markings that could impair pilot navigation during critical takeoff and landing phases. 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In a separate incident reported on Monday, an Air India aircraft scheduled to operate the Delhi-Kochi flight was grounded Saturday due to a missing Cabin Defect Log, taking off only after a new log was issued. The Cabin Defect Log is used to record technical issues found in aircraft cabin areas and is essential for regulatory compliance, allowing engineers to identify and address problems before takeoff. The safety violations had immediate operational consequences. One domestic flight was held up due to worn tires and was cleared for departure only after required maintenance was completed, demonstrating the direct impact of the surveillance on flight operations. A DGCA official confirmed that 'findings during the surveillance revealed multiple cases where reported defects re-appeared many times on aircraft, indicating ineffective monitoring and inadequate rectification action on repeated defects.' 'All the findings observed during the surveillance have been communicated to the operators for taking necessary corrective actions within seven days,' the DGCA stated, indicating the urgency with which the regulator is treating the identified violations. The safety review follows other recent enforcement actions, including the DGCA's order directing Air India to remove three officials from crew scheduling duties over 'systemic failures' in operational processes, though those violations were unrelated to the Ahmedabad crash. Officials confirmed that the review process will continue, with similar comprehensive assessments planned for other major airports including Hyderabad and Kolkata as part of the ongoing safety evaluation ordered on June 19.

AI 171 crash: 260 deaths confirmed, verification still on: Gujarat health minister
AI 171 crash: 260 deaths confirmed, verification still on: Gujarat health minister

Time of India

time2 hours ago

  • Time of India

AI 171 crash: 260 deaths confirmed, verification still on: Gujarat health minister

1 2 Ahmedabad: Rushikesh Patel, the state health minister said that 260 people have been confirmed dead till Tuesday in the Air India 171 plane crash incident even as further verification process is ongoing. "Some verification work is still ongoing, but so far 260 deaths have been confirmed by DNA match and other methods along with police verification," said Patel. Govt sources said that it could take a couple of more days before the final casualty can be ascertained based on scientific evidence. Health department officials said that the 260 confirmed dead so far include 241 passengers and crew onboard the ill-fated flight and 19 confirmed deaths on ground due to impact and subsequent fireball where the temperature soared to about 1,000°C. Sources said that the actual figure of the deaths in the incident will only be confirmed after completion of the DNA match process. You Can Also Check: Ahmedabad AQI | Weather in Ahmedabad | Bank Holidays in Ahmedabad | Public Holidays in Ahmedabad "Till Tuesday, 259 persons who died in the crash have been identified. These include 240 persons aboard the AI 171 along with 13 persons who died on the ground who were identified using DNA match. Six other persons who died on the ground were identified by their kin based on their physical and facial features," said Dr Rakesh Joshi, medical superintendent of the Civil Hospital, Ahmedabad which is coordinating the handing over of mortal remains of the plane crash victims to the relatives. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với mức chênh lệch giá thấp nhất IC Markets Đăng ký Undo Health department officials said that till Tuesday, DNA match for one of the 241 passengers remains to be ascertained. Sources said a few samples continue to remain with the Gandhinagar-based forensic laboratories in highly charred condition. "Forensic experts are attempting to extract the DNA using advanced methods," said a source. Meanwhile, Civil Hospital authorities handed over mortal remains of a UK resident on Tuesday, taking the number of handed-over bodies from the crash to 257. Dr Joshi said that two bodies remain with the authorities and both are UK nationals. "They are likely to be sent home soon for the last rites," he said. All 60 passengers with foreign nationalities including 52 from the UK, seven from Portugal, and one from Canada have been identified and 58 of them have been sent home, said officials. Among the Indian nationals, the highest death toll is recorded for Ahmedabad at 73. Noel Tata visits crash site, patients in Ahmedabad Ahmedabad: Tata Trusts chairman Noel Tata made a brief visit to Ahmedabad on Tuesday in the aftermath of the Air India 171 plane crash on June 12. Tata is reported to have visited the airplane crash site in Meghaninagar, patients admitted at the Civil Hospital, and city police commissioner GS Mallik. Confirming Tata's visit, Mallik said that it was a courtesy call following the plane crash tragedy. "He thanked the city police for their work following the crash and appreciated our commitment," said Mallik, adding it was an informal visit. Sources at the airport said that Tata arrived at the General Aviation terminal of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport (SVPI) around 7am and departed by 2pm the same day, via chartered aircraft. Officials at Civil Hospital confirmed that a Tata-group delegation visited the hospital on Tuesday. "The delegation discussed the crash incident, the hospital's response to the incident and the health of injured victims," a senior official of the hospital said. BJMC fraternity pays homage to deceased students Ahmedabad: On Tuesday, 12 days after the devastating air crash on the mess of the BJ Medical College, the BJ Medical College fraternity paid homage to the four medical students and other victims of the AI 171 airplane crash. The prayer meet was attended by state health minister Rushikesh Patel, along with senior health department officials, Civil Hospital staff, students and tutors, and relatives of the deceased. The senior officials also planted trees on the medical college campus as a remembrance of the deceased students. About 25 persons, several of them medical students, were also injured in the crash. The majority of them have recuperated and joined duty, said officials.

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