AI flight row: 'Fundamental right infringed upon by minister,' says Chacko

Criticising Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju for delaying an Air India flight, Congress leader P.C. Chacko on Thursday said that the incident shows that the fundamental right is infringed upon by a minister.

"What Mr. Rijiju has done is uncalled for. It shows that the fundamental right is infringed upon by a minister. I remember that even during the Emergency, when some flight was delayed for about five to ten minutes for some Minister, it had become big news," said Chacko.

Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh had earlier today said that people are making a 'mountain out of a molehill' over the issue as the flight had to be delayed as it was taking off before time.

Rijiju, who had last week gone to Leh by a Border Security Force (BSF) helicopter to attend the Sindhu Darshan function, reportedly delayed an Air India flight and made three passengers de-board the flight.

Rijiju was accompanied by Nirmal Singh when the reported incident took place on June 24.

Rijiju has however accused Air India of misleading people and blaming him needlessly.