Delhi govt files FIR against 4 airlines for not checking RT-PCR reports of passengers from Maharashtra

New Delhi, Apr 18: The Delhi government approached police on Sunday to lodge FIRs against four airlines for failing to check RT-PCR test reports of passengers arriving from Maharashtra. These complaints against Vistara, Indigo, SpiceJet and Air Asia have been filed under the Disaster Management Act. These complaints against Vistara, Indigo, SpiceJet and Air Asia have been filed under the Disaster Management Act.

"It has been observed that a large number of passengers took flights from Maharashtra to Delhi without a valid RT-PCR report. The Delhi government has written to the SHO of Indira Gandhi International Airport to lodge FIRs against Indigo, SpiceJet, Vistara and Air Asia," a senior Delhi government official said.

Delhi police officials said they have received the complaint.

"We are looking into the matter. No FIR has been registered yet," a police official said.

When contacted, an Air Asia spokesperson said, "AirAsia India confirms that we are in compliance with guidelines and protocols issued by the respective regulatory bodies. We would also like to clarify that we have not received any information from any authority on this matter."

"IndiGo has not received any FIR against it as is being reported in certain media channels," a representative of IndiGo said.

There was no response from Vistara and SpiceJet authorities.

The decision to mandatorily ask for COVID negative report from passengers from Maharashtra was taken following the exponential rise in COVID-19 cases in the city.

Delhi government had last week announced that it will be mandatory for anyone travelling to Delhi from Maharashtra to carry a negative RT-PCR report dated 72 hours prior to arrival. Travellers without a negative report have to be placed in quarantine for a period of 14 days.

The cases have been registered against four airlines for not checking RTPCR test reports of passengers coming to Delhi from Maharshtra.

The decision was take following exponential rise in COVID-19 cases in the city.

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday said over 25,000 people have tested COVID-19 positive in the last 24 hours in Delhi. On Saturday, the national capital had recorded 24,375 fresh cases.

The government has also registered FIRs against two private hospitals in the city for providing "false" information about availability of beds there on an official app.

Kejriwal had on Saturday warned hospitals of strict action if they are found giving wrong information or turning away coronavirus patients despite showing availability of beds on a Delhi government app.