More than 15 middle and senior-level managers of Mumbai International Airport Ltd (MIAL) were forced to resign after CCTV cameras recorded them stealing items seized during security checks. The officials were asked to step down last month and were warned they would otherwise be dismissed.
Many of them had worked at the airport for ten to twenty years. The items involved were Security Restricted Articles (SRA). These are goods banned from aircraft cabins and usually confiscated by the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) during pre-departure checks.
The CCTV footage was prepared by MIAL’s HR division. Those who resigned included senior duty terminal officers, duty terminal managers, deputy managers, and senior executives.
As per reports, the officials have argued that this was their first offence and that the action was too severe. Legal experts also raised concerns over the manner of termination. MIAL has not issued any official statement on the matter. Sources claimed that the raid and resignations were part of a larger move to tighten discipline.
Mumbai airport handles more than 1.5 lakh passengers daily. Large quantities of restricted articles are regularly seized. Records from May showed that security staff confiscated two e-cigarettes, matchboxes, coconuts, talcum powders, scissors, knives, screwdrivers, and several other items from passenger hand luggage. Once collected, these goods are tagged for disposal, recorded, or handed over to non-governmental organisations like the Rescue Foundation.
Share
Tweet
