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| India-Pakistan |
| HC to decide fate of armsdrop plane |
| 2008-04-12 |
| THE infamous Purulia armsdrop case refuses to fade out of public memory. A Mumbai firm has just petitioned Calcutta High Courtfor permission to dispose off the Russian-made AN-26 plane parked at Sahar airport for 13 long years ago. It was seized after it landed mysteriously at Sahar five days after the execution of what has been described as the "biggest crime in the history of independent India". And thereby hangs a long tale. But before I delve into the case dating back to 1995, a few words about the latest development. The petitioner is Mumbai International Airport Private Limited which has bagged the contract for development of Mumbai airport. The federal civil aviation minstry has already allotted funds. But work can't begin as the seized aircraft is occupying a lot of space. The firm's lawyer says that the AN-26 must be disposed off as soon as possible as Indian authorities have pardoned all the armsdrop accused, including Englishman Peter Bleach and his Russian associates, who have returned to their respective countries. But as Calcutta High Court had ordered the seizure of the aircraft, only it can permit its disposal. Hence the new petition. |
| Posted by:john frum |