Aviation security body gets tough on ‘family ties’

Two senior officials of the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) whose relatives are employed with the aviation industry have been relieved of work related to the companies their family members work with. Tushar Srivastava reports.

Two senior officials of the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) whose relatives are employed with the aviation industry have been relieved of work related to the companies their family members work with.

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HT had reported on Tuesday that relatives of 15 BCAS officials held lucrative jobs with aviation-related companies.

BCAS chief GS Malhi has now ordered that regional deputy commissioner, JS Rana, will no longer handle security matters related to the Delhi airport as the latter’s son is employed with Delhi International Airport Limited — the private-led consortium that operates the airport.

Malhi told HT that assistant commissioner Chander Kanta Ranga would not deal with any issue relating to Kingfisher airlines. Ranga’s husband works with Kingfisher.

“BCAS headquarters will deal with both these matters directly,” Malhi said.

The civil aviation ministry has also stepped in and the matter has been referred to its vigilance wing. “I have issued a show-cause notice to all of them and have also sought the ministry’s advice,” Malhi said.

Officials dealing with companies where their relatives are employed pose serious security implications. “Position of such officials might be compromised. It can have an impact on the security audit. Even if some security violation has been found they might not be rigid in enforcing regulation as it would affect the their relatives’ job,” said Captain Mohan Ranganathan, a Chennai-based aviation expert.