Manmohan Singh condemns Continental Airlines for Kalam frisking

New Delhi, July 25 (ANI): Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Saturday deplored the frisking of former President APJ Abdul Kalam by US based Continental Airlines at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi.

"This should not happen. Kalam is a highly respected and honoured citizen of our country," Singh told reporters here.

When asked to comment on the frisking of the former President, Singh said Kalam is entitled to all courtesies that are extended to the Heads and former Heads of State and "any infringement (of that) is something which is deplorable."

He added that Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel is already looking into the issue.

On Friday, Continental Airlines had apologised for the incident.

Its senior officials yesterday met Civil Aviation Secretary MM Nambiar to present their version of the incident.

Terming the April 21 incident as a case of misunderstanding, the airlines tendered an apology after the Government had filed a First Information Report (FIR) against it for breaching Indian aviation rules.

The case was registered after the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) approached the police against the staff of the American airliner for carrying out a pre-embarkation body check of Kalam, which it maintains, is in gross violation of a BCAS circular which exempts specified VVIPs/VIPs from security checks.

Continental Airlines had clarified that it didn't insult Kalam by frisking rather it was done following American aviation policy to frisk everyone, including VIPs and VVIPs.

The incident created a furore inside Parliament. (ANI)