CoD begins probe into missing antique aircraft

Gulbarga, Sep 9: An investigation team of Corps of Detectives has landed in the city to inquire into the disappearance of a German antique fighter aircraft, once used by Adolf Hitler's men during the World War II.

The Messerschmitt BF109E Fighter aircraft, which was in the custody of Hyderabad-Karnataka Educational Society (HKES) which runs an engineering college here, mysteriously went missing during November 2002.

Raising foul, local labour leader and former minister S K Kanta had filed a petition in the Karnataka High Court seeking an investigation into the incident. Responding to Mr Kanta's petition, the court had asked the state government to constitute a special team to inquiry.

The single seater fighter, used by Hitler's men to raid over England, which is only the second of its kind in existence in the world, was lying in the compound of PDA Engineering College run by HKES in the city till it 'disappeared' and was now reportedly spotted in the French ruled Channel Island.

The aircraft was gifted to Hyderabad Nizam Mir Usman Ali Khan by the Royal Air force in 1941 as a token of appreciation for deploying two of his battalions to fight for British empire. The ruler kept in the public garden the same year for public viewing.

In 1961 the HKES, with the 'permission' of the officers, had shifted to the engineering college compound promising the upkeep of the vintage aircraft. However, it went missing in 2002. Speaking to UNI