Fake threat to aircraft; Centre for law amendment, life imprisonment to be ensured

NEW DELHI: Fake threats to flights will attract a jail term of up to life and a fine. The amendment to the law will be brought soon. The offenders will be placed on the no-fly list where air travel is not possible.

The aviation ministry's move comes at a time when more than 100 aircraft of Indian companies have received a bomb threat in the last one week. There was a loss of crores of rupees due to the return of the aircrafts for inspection. Hundreds of passengers suffered due to missing connection flights.

The Aviation Safety Act, 1980 provides for life imprisonment and a fine for threats on an aircraft. Threats targeted at aircrafts that are preparing to fly and flying will also be a serious offence. The punishment ranges from five years to life imprisonment. The people who are raising threats are mostly using social media platforms. Action will be taken to prevent this.

"The safety of passengers is a top priority. Fake threats can't be linked to terrorism right now."

- K. Rammohan Naidu,

Minister of Civil Aviation

Pannun's threat

NEW DELHI: Khalistani terrorist Pannun has threatened to attack Air India flights to mark the 40th anniversary of the anti-Sikh riots. The warning is not to board Air India between November 1-19. The same threat was raised last year as well. Pannun, the founder of Sixes for Justice, is currently in the U.S.

DGCA chief removed

Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) Vikram Dev Dutt was transferred to the Coal Ministry on Sunday after bomb threats became frequent. No replacement has been made.