NGO demands JPC probe into air crash

Mangalore: Bangalore based Environment Support Group (ESG) that was involved in a protracted legal battle against construction of a second runway at Bajpe airport here, has demanded a joint parliamentary committee probe into the IX812 crash. ESG also expressed its lack of confidence in the court of inquiry ordered by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) into the incident noting it would not serve the purpose.
Leo F Saldanha, coordinator, ESG told reporters here on Saturday that his NGO, by way of two public interest litigations filed before the state high court had tried to forewarn authorities concerned about the impending disaster. However, the high court on both occasions, dismissed fears raised by us in the PIL, dubbing as busybodies with no serious intent, he said.
Taking a swipe at civil aviation ministry, DGCA, and Airports Authority of India (AAI), Leo said these bodies had also failed to comply with directions given by the High Court, and even the Supreme Court while dismissing their PILs at the admission stage. Instead, the judiciary for reasons best known to it, chose to go with explanation given by AAI rather than consider well-documented and researched proof given by ESG, he said.
Expressing confidence that ESG could mobilise support among India's parliamentarians to get a JPC constituted to go into all circumstances that led to this disaster, he said ESG has already ensured adequate 'networking' to see this through. "Loss of 158 lives in an air crash that should not have happened in the first place if our PILs had been treated seriously enough is cause enough to constitute a JPC," Leo noted.
05/06/10 Times of India

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