Centre Says 'No Conspiracy' Behind Mamata Banerjee's Flight Turbulence, Calcutta High Court Seeks Sealed Cover Report

The Calcutta High Court on Monday directed the Centre to file a report in a sealed cover on the investigation into the incident of mid-air turbulence experienced by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's chartered flight on March 4.

On March 4, Banerjee was returning to Kolkata from Varanasi after an election campaign. She boarded a chartered flight but faced air turbulence just before landing at the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International airport. The Chief Minister reportedly suffered injuries in her back after the incident subsequent to which the doctors had advised her to take rest.

A Bench comprising Chief Justice Prakash Shrivastava and Justice Rajrashi Bharadwaj was adjudicating upon a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) petition seeking a probe into the incident. On the last date of hearing, the Bench had sought response from the Union of India as well as the State government in the matter. 

On Monday, the counsel appearing for the Central government apprised the Bench that that there is 'no conspiracy' involved regarding the alleged incident and further sought the Court's leave to file a report on the probe in a sealed cover.

Accordingly, the Court directed the Centre to file a report of the Central Security Agency in a sealed cover containing details of the probe into the alleged incident on the next date of hearing which is slated to take place on July 18.

The Bench was earlier informed by the petitioner that on March 4, the aircraft in which the Chief Minister was travelling had dipped close to 8,000 ft. in a matter of seconds causing serious injuries to the Chief Minister. The counsel had also submitted that back in November 2016, the Chief Minister's Indigo flight from Patna to Kolkata was made to hover in the sky for over 30 minutes before landing at the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International airport in Kolkata despite the plane reportedly running low on fuel.

Accordingly, the counsel had prayed for directions to be issued to the Central government to apprise the Court about the steps taken by the DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation) to determine the cause behind such mid-air turbulence

It may be noted that reportedly West Bengal Home Secretary BP Gopalika had sought a reply from DGCA over the cause of turbulence and subsequently the DGCA had initiated a probe. During a media briefing, Banerjee had reportedly said, "Plane escaped collision due to pilot's efficiency. The plane climbed down 8,000 ft when another plane came in front of my aircraft suddenly. Not received any report from ATC & DGCA so far."

Case Title: Biplab Kumar Chowdhury v. Union of India and Ors 

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