Indian businessman demands USD 10m from BA

Indian businessman, Subash Kochhar has claimed for USS 10 millions to be paid to him as compensation by British Airways, the U.K. and Canadian Governments, for illegally detaining him at London’s Heathrow Airport and subjecting him to public ridicule on unsubstantiated charges that he was traveling on a forged and fake passport. “It was racialism at its worst!”, emoted Kochhar.
When Subash Kochhar (61), entrepreneur from Pune and his wife, Navilla, boarded British Airways Flight No. 0138 for London on March 14, they could never have imagined, in their wildest nightmares, the humiliation, physical and mental agonies which lay in store for them later that day. They were to take the connecting flight to Toronto (Canada). Their four bags had been checked into the hold of the ‘plane at Mumbai, right on through to their final destination. The Kochhars wanted to be at the side of their elder daughter, who lived in Toronto, when she delivered their first grand-child, which was scheduled for March 18.
The Canadian Immigration Officer (IO) at the Heathrow Airport (London) apprehended and detained Kochhar for traveling on a forged Passport!
Notably, the Canadian Embassy at Delhi had issued visas to the Kochhars, after thorough scrutiny of all documents, including their Passports, on March 7.
“A male white Caucasian, from Canadian Immigration examined our boarding passes along with our Passports, when were in the queue to board British Airways flight No: 0038 to Toronto. Wthout assigning any reason whatsoever, this white male from the Canadian Government, abruptly told me in a harsh voice that I would not be permitted to continue with the onward journey to Toronto, although my wife could do so. The Officer told me that my Passport was obviously forged, as the paper quality used in its making was sub-standard. He said I would be interrogated and action would be taken against me, which might include deportation back to India or even imprisonment. “
Navilla had no option but to continue on to Toronto on her own. Kochhar was then handed over to the I.O. (U.K) (Warrant No. 7731).
Kochhar, who has had two heart attacks, was made to sit on a bench at the Immigration Office for about three hours feeling “like a felon and terrorist, with everyone glaring at me.”
Hours later, the IO (KK) returned Kochhar was astounded when his purportedly “fake” Passport was returned to him, along with a UK Visa (No FXF 21503) up to March 21, stamped on it., For gratis. He was instructed to get a clearance as to the authenticity or otherwise, of his purportedly forged Passport from the Indian High Commissioner. With this command, he was left to wander off on his own, unescorted.
The next day, Kochhar met Sojan Paul, Asst. Consular-in-charge of the Indian High Commission, who certified that his Passport was indeed genuine. He rushed back to Heathrow and met the IO (UK), to whom he handed the clearance. When Kochhar was once again taken for interrogation, he warned the I.O (UK) that he had sought legal opinion. According to Kochhar, the I.O. (UK) candidly agreed that his Canadian counter-part had certainly trampled on Kochhar’s rights. But, contended that the British Government were in the clear and he, personally, would support any action against the Canadian Government and British Airways, Kochhar took.
Kochhar has demanded an unconditional apology from the Governments of Canada and United Kingdom, as well as the British Airways. In addition, he has demanded that US $10 million to be paid to him as compensation for the illegal detention, wrongful confinement, infringement on his rights and humiliations his wife and he were forced to suffer.
09/05/07 Weekly Blitz, Bangladesh

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Categories: Foreign May 2007