DGCA withdraws police complaint against WhatsApping pilots

The Indian civil aviation regulator announced on Thursday that it has withdrawn the police complaint it had filed against some pilots earlier this week for making obscene remarks against its officials following the pilots expressing regret on the issue.

"Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) had filed complaints against certain pilots for making obscene remarks against DGCA officials on social media on 6th June. In the meantime, concerned airlines and the pilots involved have expressed regret on the issue," the aviation regulator said in a statement here.

"Some of the parents of concerned pilots have met DGCA and requested for a solution so as not to impact their careers adversely. Airlines have also informed to put in place SOPs (standard operating procedures) on the issue and sensitise their personnel in this regard. In view of all above, DGCA has withdrawn the complaint filed in this regard," it added.

The Delhi Police said on Tuesday that the DGCA had filed a complaint against 34 pilots, of whom 13 were summoned for examining the veracity of the allegations.

"We have received a complaint by DGCA and are examining the matter. No arrest has been made yet," Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police Chinmoy Biswal said adding that the questioning took place on Tuesday afternoon.

The 13 pilots, some of whom belonged to airlines like Jet Airways, IndiGo, SpiceJet and GoAir, were let off after questioning. However, their mobile phones were confiscated for being examined by a team of IT experts.

Apart from the original complaint, the DGCA is said to have also submitted to the officers at Lodhi Road police station a "screen shot" of the usage of objectionable, obscene language.

--IANS

bc-rv/bg