HC issues contempt notices to pilots, IPG

The Delhi high court on Wednesday issued contempt notices against 67 Air India pilots on strike, including top office-bearers of the Indian Pilots Guild (IPG), for continued defiance of its repeated directions to end their agitation.

The Delhi high court on Wednesday issued contempt notices against 67 Air India pilots on strike, including top office-bearers of the Indian Pilots Guild (IPG), for continued defiance of its repeated directions to end their agitation.

The Air India management had moved court seeking contempt proceedings after all efforts to persuade the pilots failed. Pilots and the IPG have to reply to the notices by July 13. If found guilty of contempt, the pilots face a jail term of maximum three months.

On May 9, the court first declared the strike illegal and asked pilots to resume work.

“I still feel better sense will prevail on pilots. Nobody seems to be concerned with the plight of the passengers. A public utility service cannot be held to ransom in this fashion,” justice Reva Khetrapal said.