Kozhikode air crash: PIL filed in Kerala HC to shut down ops

Mangaluru: The man fighting to make airports safe in India, advocate Yeshwant Shenoy, has filed PIL in the Kerala High Court demanding immediate shutting down of operations at the Kozhikode International airport. He has also sought an open inquiry by a Court of Inquiry (COI) against a closed inquiry by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau.
Regarding the PIL submitted at the Kerala High Court on Friday, Shenoy, who has been actively pursuing issues related to aviation safety over a decade, told TOI that it was absolutely necessary to shut down the airport until the facility conforms to the air regulations. “The Airport is functioning admittedly in non-compliance with air regulations and with permanent exemptions from the required standards,” he claimed. “There is no rule that states that lightning cannot strike twice at the same place.” he added.
Shenoy, an advocate enrolled at the Bar Council of Kerala and primarily practising in Mumbai and Delhi, also sought an open inquiry by a COI under Rules 5(1)(d) read with Rule 12 of Aircraft (Investigation of Accidents and Incidents) Rules, 2017 as opposed to a closed inquiry by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau. “I also seek the criminality to be investigated by the CBI, instead of the local police, who are ill equipped to investigate a crime of this nature,” he said.
He also requested that the matter be listed for a special urgent hearing on August 15 as the relief sought is to ensure protection of the lives of people. “If the court is of the opinion that no such urgency exists, then a regular hearing on August 17 through video conferencing could be arranged. Any delay in hearing this matter could potentially cost lives of people,” he added.