CISF officers ‘plant’ lighter in flyer’s bag

The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) has ordered an inquiry against two of its officers for allegedly planting a cigarette lighter in a passenger’s bag during a security check at the Mumbai airport.

The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) has ordered an inquiry against two of its officers for allegedly planting a cigarette lighter in a passenger’s bag during a security check at the Mumbai airport.

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The incident came to light on December 15, after the passenger (name withheld on request) reported the matter to the CISF chief in Mumbai on his return from the United States. A copy of the complaint is available with the Hindustan Times.

On December 7, a few hours before boarding a Newark-bound Air India flight two CISF officials asked the passenger to surrender his hand baggage for physical checking because they suspected he was carrying bullets. They found coins in the baggage.

At the boarding gate the passenger realised that the baggage tag was not stamped. When he went back to the same duo they allegedly refused to stamp the tag. Upset with their behaviour the passenger left the bag at the security hold and went to report the matter to their senior officer who asked them do the needful over the phone.

The officers, however, did not know that the passenger was a security personnel with Air India. In his complaint the passenger has asked CISF to watch the close circuit television footage for two hours from 11:20 pm on December 7. “Today they have placed a lighter, tomorrow it could be something else,” he stated in the complaint.

Jitender Negi, senior commandant, CISF, confirmed receipt of the complaint. “We have ordered an inquiry, appropriate action would be taken against those found guilty,” he said.