An alert GoAir security official found an open bag with its contents scattered in the baggage hold of the aircraft and suspected three porters, who later confessed to the crime
Three airport baggage loaders were arrested for stealing cash and perfume bottles from the luggage of a passenger bound for a flight to Chandigarh on October 13. The incident occurred around 8.15 am, when the aircraft G8 381 was parked at bay 27.
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The theft came to light when an alert GoAir security personnel spotted an open bag with its contents scattered in the baggage hold of the aircraft. The three loaders on duty were then called in for questioning. On frisking them, the airline officials found Rs 2,000 in their possession and questioned the trio on where they got the money.
The trio, identified as Kiran Karawade, Sandeep Shinde and Ganesh Waghle were taken to the local police station by the airline staff and were handed over to them. According to the police, the thieves used a pen to open the locked baggage and stole cash and few perfume bottles from it. They are also considering this method to be the new modus operandi used by such airport crooks to enable them to open any type of baggage.
Explaining the incident, an official GoAir spokesperson said, “On October 13, around 8:15 am, an alert GoAir security official got suspicious of the behaviour of three bag handlers. The official went to check the hold and found a passenger’s bag wide open with its contents scattered. When the security official frisked the porters, he found R2,000 in their possession.
When questioned about the cash, they were nervous and couldn’t answer. The security team immediately contacted the CISF vigilance staff. Further investigations revealed that they had pilfered the bag. They were handed over to local police and an FIR was lodged.”
“GoAir conducts stringent security checks, because of which we have been able to control such incidents. We’ve enhanced surveillance through our security team, which conducts rigorous frisking of baggage handlers/loaders during entry/exit besides conducting surprise checks. We immediately intimate relevant authorities when such incidents are detected,” the spokesperson added.
Speaking to mid-day, Rajendra Nagbhire, Senior Inspector from Airport Police Station said, “We arrested the three accused and an FIR was lodged under IPC sections 34, 511 and 379 and produced them in court after which they were released on bail. They will not be allowed to work at any airport henceforth.”