Police Stops Indigo Aircraft on Runway To Nab Riot-Accused In Surat

Surat: Police halted a Goa-bound Indigo aircraft that had approached the runway in Surat to prevent an accused involved in the rioting case from escaping abroad.

The plane, which was set to fly towards Goa had reached the runway but was brought back to the parking area after Air Traffic Controller (ATC) authorities received an emergency call from the police in this regard. Police stated that they had received a tip regarding the movements of the accused and decided to act accordingly. 

After receiving the call, the airport authority alerted the CISF jawans. The CISF team went to the spot and escorted the accused from the plane and later handed him to the police. The accused identified as Kishan Patel (26) is a resident of Hazira village in Surat.

Regarding the incident, Indigo Airlines has stated that two passengers were deboarded from the plane and all necessary checks were followed. 

“IndiGo Flight 6E419 from Surat to Goa on July 01 had returned to parking stand on instructions from local authorities. Two customers were deplaned and flight departed after necessary checks as per standard operating procedures. Customers were kept informed about the delay and were being assisted by crew,” an official statement released by Indigo Airlines said. 

Meanwhile, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) has sent a preliminary report to the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) regarding the incident and has explained the reasons behind the delay of the flight. 

Police were looking for the accused after an incident was reported that he and his friends were involved in a clash with security guards outside the AM/NS plant at Hazira on Sunday evening. Patel and his friends tried to forcibly enter the AM/NS unit but the security guards stopped them resulting in heated arguments and alleged thrashing of the guards by the accused.