The Indian Commercial Pilots Association (ICPA) filed a complaint with the Cabinet Secretary against Captain Arvind Kathpalia on June 6.
The Public Enterprises Selection Board on May 24 selected Arvind Kathpalia for the post of Director (Operations) Air India.
On June 6, 2016, Indian Commercial Pilot’s Association (ICPA) filed a complaint with Cabinet Secretary P K Sinha accusing Captain Arvind Kathpalia of gaining a promotion by concealing information regarding criminal cases a registered against him.
“Kathpalia is currently out on bail and failed to share this knowledge with Air India. He hasn’t even been granted the vigilance clearance”, according to the complaint filed by the ICPA.
Apart from the Cabinet Secretary, ICPA had also alerted Department of Civil Aviation, Department of Personnel & Training, Central Vigilance Commission and the CBI about the issue.
“ICPA raised questions against Air India and when the Department of Civil Aviation was inquired about their position on the matter, they refused to disclose any information.”
“According to the guidelines provided by the CVC, no candidate can be recommended without a vigilance clearance and not even PESB can grant permission for the same. Surprisingly, Kathpalia had been appointed by the PESB”, said ICPA.
Air India and Captain Arvind Kathpalia have been probed over the incident yet, no answers have been provided. Ashwani Lohani, the CMD of Air India refused to speak over the matter. Kathpalia refused any allegations over the phone and claimed that he had been granted a clearance but failed to present one when asked.
Even when questioned by RTI, Air India did not disclose any information. ICPA wrote an email where they declared that all they will present factors involved in the plot in public and Air India, and everyone involved will have to provide an answer.