AI's infighting behind allegations: N K Beri

New Delhi, July 17: Air India's resident director N K Beri today accused some of his own colleagues of trying to drag his name into the recent incident of pilferage from the bar card of VVIP aircraft carrying the Prime Minister to Germany in April.

''The communication by an official of Air India's vigilance department that five whisky bottles were detected in my baggage through X-rays at Berlin airport is incorrect,'' he told UNI.

''Some people from my own airline are trying to deprive me of my current position as resident director (Delhi region) which is a prestigious post. They are trying to tarnish my image by dragging my name into this incident with which I had nothing to do.'' The civil aviation ministry had written to AI last month expressing concern at the serious security lapse on board the VVIP aircraft carrying prime minister Manmohan Singh to Germany and Uzbekistan in April. Apparently, the security seals of a cabin in the aircraft were broken and six whisky bottles pilfered.

The government-owned international carrier has ordered an enquiry into the incident. AI's chairman and managing director Vasudevan Thulasidas has denied any security lapse during the episode.

''The liquor carried by me at that time was for my personal consumption and comprised rum, whisky (quarter bottles) and half a bottle of wine. The baggage was not physically opened at Berlin airport. How can AI's vigilance department say that there were five whisky bottles in my baggage,'' said Capt Beri.

''The entire incident has been a big trauma for my family and myself. I have flown several VVIPs in the past and there were never any complaints,'' he said. Capt Beri joined AI in 1990 after a posting in the home ministry.

According to AI's vigilance department, a total of 29 bottles were found to be in the possession of 14 officials and crew members.

It is being ascertained where they purchased them and whether they can account for them.

UNI