E-Paper
Thefts at airport: No CCTVs on crucial stretch
Investigations in the baggage theft racket busted by the Mumbai Crime Branch on Tuesday said loaders stole valuables while moving baggage from the aircraft belly to the conveyor belts, reports Soubhik Mitra.
Crores worth of closed-circuit television cameras (CCTVs) could do little to monitor the safe passage of your baggage. Investigations in the baggage theft racket busted by the Mumbai Crime Branch on Tuesday said loaders stole valuables while moving baggage from the aircraft belly to the conveyor belts.
The CCTV cameras do not cover this passage.
Four loaders with Cambatta Aviation were arrested for involvement in theft of valuables worth Rs 11 lakh from passenger baggage in 60 cases since 2006. The accused had enough time to enter the container carrying baggage, break open the lock with a pen and pick up things of their choice.
Interestingly, several months ago the central industrial security force (CISF) that guards the airport, had asked the operator to install cameras in this corridor, but, it is yet to be done.
“Such crimes could be easily cracked if theft takes place inside the terminal. The uncovered passage is a massive loophole,” said Sanjay Prakash, senior commandant, CISF.
The matter has come up in the monthly airport security meeting but the airport operator has failed to act.
A Mumbai International Airport Limited spokesperson, said, “We have conducted a joint survey with the CISF to increase CCTV coverage area. Based on the findings of the survey there would be further augmentation of surveillance in the airport.”
The airport has witnessed 37 cases of theft worth Rs 4.81 crore.
