Family alleges unjust treatment by Air India staff at Mangalore Airport, writes letter to KCDRC
Mangaluru: In an incident reported at Mangalore Airport (IXE) on March 28, 2024, a family's much-anticipated vacation turned into a nightmare due to alleged mistreatment by Air India check-in staff. Zubair Shiek Usman Saheb, a resident of Bismillah Manzil, Mohalla House, Pranthya Village, Moodbidri, has penned a letter to the Karnataka Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission detailing the traumatic events his family endured.
According to Zubair Saheb's account, his family, comprising his wife and three minor children, arrived punctually at the airport for their journey to Dubai via Air India flight AI 680, scheduled for 7:55 AM (later rescheduled to 8 AM). Despite their timely arrival and adherence to all procedures, they were unexpectedly directed by Air India check-in staff to wrap their already well-conditioned bags additionally.
Reluctantly complying with the staff's directive, the family returned to the counter only to face the shocking denial of their boarding passes, allegedly due to perceived tardiness. Adding to the distress, their flight was a connecting one to Mumbai, where they had another flight to catch. While other passengers proceeded with boarding, Zubair’s family was left stranded, facing an inexplicable denial.
The situation was particularly harrowing for the minor children, who were left in tears and confusion, grappling with the unjustifiable denial of boarding. Zubair highlighted the emotional and psychological toll inflicted upon his family, compounded by the financial losses amounting to a minimum of 63,537.00 INR.
Seeking recourse for the grievances incurred, Zubair Saheb implored the Karnataka Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission to conduct a thorough investigation into the events of that day. He urged the commission to utilize available documentation and CCTV footage to verify the claims and hold Air India accountable for the alleged negligent and unprofessional conduct of its staff.
In his plea for justice, Zubair requested compensation of not less than Rs 10 Lakhs, emphasizing the need for deterrent measures against future instances of misconduct by service providers. He expressed his trust in the impartiality and efficacy of the judicial process, affirming his cooperation in the pursuit of justice.
Zubair also highlighted a perplexing observation that on the same day, their luggage underwent no wrapping scrutiny when they later boarded an Air India Express flight to Dubai from the same airport.
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UK court rejects Nirav Modi’s fresh bail plea due to ‘real, substantial’ flight risk
London (PTI): Fugitive businessman Nirav Modi, who has been in prison in London for over five years, on Tuesday made a new bail application which was rejected by a UK judge who ruled that he continued to pose a “substantial risk" of absconding justice.
The 52-year-old diamond merchant, who lost his extradition battle to face fraud and money laundering charges in India, did not appear for the bail hearing at Westminster Magistrates Court in London but his son and two daughters were present in the gallery.
District Judge John Zani accepted their legal team’s submission that the long passage of time since the last bail application three and a half years ago constituted a change in circumstances to allow the hearing to go ahead.
“However, I am satisfied that there remain substantial grounds against bail. There continues to be a real, substantial risk that the applicant [Nirav Modi] would fail to attend court or interfere with witnesses,” concluded Judge Zani in his judgment after a short hearing.
“This case involves, by any footing, a very substantial fraud allegation... not one where bail can be granted and the application is refused,” he said.
The court heard that while Modi had lost his legal fight against being extradited, there were “confidential” proceedings ongoing which had been instigated by him. This would indicate an asylum application but the only indirect reference made to it in court was when the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), appearing on behalf of the Indian authorities, dismissed the assertion that the UK Home Secretary may “never be able to order extradition” as incorrect.
“He has demonstrated his complete determination to not face the allegations in an Indian court and it is no exaggeration to say the fraud in question is over USD 1 billion, of which only USD 400 million has been seized. Therefore, he could still have access to significant resources in various jurisdictions,” CPS barrister Nicholas Hearn told the court.
