The National Investigation Agency (NIA) is likely to take over the investigation of a hijack scare perpetrated by a Mumbai-based businessman on Monday, that led to a Mumbai-Delhi Jet Airways flight being diverted to Ahmedabad.
The businessman, identified as Birju Kishore Salla, , who was on the flight, left a note in the lavatory of Jet flight 9W-339 warning that there would be a “blast” if the aircraft landed in Delhi.
“Mr. Salla was detained by police after preliminary investigation... It was revealed that Mr. Salla had put the threat letter in the plane’s washroom. We will take necessary action against him,” an Ahmedabad police official said. Investigators said the accused a regular business class flyer, wanted to frame an airhostess, who had earlier spurned his advances. It was not clear if she was on the same flight.
Repeat offender
A few months ago, Mr. Salla carried a cockroach on board a flight, put the insect in the meal served to him and blamed the airline for it, an official said. He had been let off on that occasion after he assured the airline he would not repeat the offence, the official said.
“Any hijack scare is a scheduled offence and the NIA could be handed over the case. He is currently being examined by the Gujarat police.
Investigations revealed that apart from the airhostess, he was the only person who went to the lavatory,” said the official.
The note read, “Flight number 9W 339 is covered by hijackers and aircraft should not land and be flown straight to POK. 12 people on board. If you put landing gear you will hear people dying. Don't take it as a joke. Cargo area contains explosives and will blast if you land in Delhi.”
It was signed off saying “Allah is great.”
The reference to POK made investigators suspicious because Pakistan-based terrorists call the area ‘Azad Kashmir’, an official said. Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju on Monday asked all airlines to put the passenger on the ‘no-fly’ list.
“I am informed that person responsible for Jet flight 339 (Mum-Del) incident causing the landing at Ahmedabad today morning has been identified. I am advising the airlines to put him on the No-Fly list immediately, in addition to other statutory criminal action,” Mr. Raju said on Twitter.
This is the first time that the government has asked the airlines to put a person on a ‘no-fly list’ that was made operational last month.
The passenger can potentially face a lifetime ban for unruly behaviour on board by both domestic and foreign airlines.