PIL In Calcutta High Court Seeks Probe Into Mid-Air Turbulence In WB CM Mamata Banerjee's Flight, Centre's Response Sought

The Calcutta High Court on Monday sought response from the Union of India as well as the State government in a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) petition seeking a probe 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.

The counsel appearing for the petitioner apprised a Bench comprising Chief Justice Prakash Shrivastava and Justice Rajrashi Bharadwaj that whenever the Chief Minister flies out of the State, there is some or the other problem faced by her aircraft thereby jeopardising her health and security. 

The Bench was further informed 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 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 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. The Court was also informed that a detailed representation had been made to the DGCA in this regard. 

Taking cognizance of the grievance raised, the Court directed the Union of India as well as the State government to obtain instructions in the matter and accordingly listed the matter for further hearing on April 25. The petitioner was also directed to serve a copy of the petitioner to the Advocate General. 

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