Chandigarh: Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport has come under the spotlight after the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) registered an FIR against two senior officials following a complaint by a taxi union.
The CBI’s Anti-Corruption Branch has booked former Chandigarh International Airport Limited (CHIAL) CEO Rakesh Ranjan Sahay and head of the commercial department Amrit Garg under charges of extortion, criminal conspiracy and bribery.
According to the FIR, the accused officials allegedly harassed members of the taxi union mentally, physically and financially, besides forcibly collecting money from them and favouring a particular licence holder. The alleged activities are said to have been continuing since 2021.
Audio clips submitted by taxi union triggered probe
The matter surfaced on April 26, 2024, when the taxi union submitted a written complaint along with a pen drive containing alleged audio recordings of the officials to the Airports Authority of India (AAI).
During a preliminary inquiry, the AAI vigilance team reportedly found substance in the allegations and audio clips. However, for forensic examination of the recordings and a detailed probe into the money trail, the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) directed that the case be handed over to the CBI.
Airport is a joint venture
The airport is a joint venture with 51% stake held by the Airports Authority of India, while the Punjab and Haryana governments hold 24.5% each. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the airport on September 11, 2015. Its name was officially changed to Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport on September 28, 2022.
Forensic examination, arrests possible
CBI DSP Prakash Chand is leading the investigation. The agency is expected to conduct forensic analysis of the audio clips to verify the voices of the accused officials. Office records, emails and financial transactions will also be examined as part of the probe.
Experts believe arrests of the accused officials cannot be ruled out as the investigation progresses.
The case is being seen as significant as it is rare for top-ranking officials of an international airport to face such serious action based on a complaint lodged by a taxi union.
