The Hindu : National : Lalu refuses to comment on IAF complaint

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Sunday, Aug 05, 2007
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Lalu refuses to comment on IAF complaint

Patna: Railway Minister Lalu Prasad on Saturday refused to comment on media reports, attributed to the Indian Air Force, which said he had “forced” the pilot of an IAF helicopter to land on a national highway near Muzaffarpur in Bihar during an aerial survey of flood-hit areas last Wednesday.

“I have no comments to make ... I will tell my side of the story when the issue is brought before me at an appropriate forum or [by] an individual,” Mr. Prasad said.

“IAF submits report”

Media reports said the IAF submitted a report to Defence Minister A.K. Antony clarifying that the pilot landed the chopper on the highway without a warning or prior permission, at the insistence of Mr. Prasad. Mr. Antony forwarded the IAF submission to the Prime Minister’s Office.

On Thursday, advocate Sudhir Ojha filed a case against Mr. Prasad in the court of Chief Judicial Magistrate (West) Sanjay Kumar for allegedly endangering the lives of people by the unscheduled landing of the chopper.

Mr. Ojha charged that in the melee caused by the landing near Manihari village on NH 28, about 10 km. from Muzaffarpur, he and a few others were injured.

The case was filed under IPC Sections 308 (attempt to commit culpable homicide), 279 (rash driving or riding on a public highway), 283 (danger or obstruction in public way, or line of navigation), 431 (mischief by injury to public road, bridge, river or channel), 141 (unlawful assembly) and 34 (acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intent).

The court has asked the Superintendent of Police to hold an inquiry and submit a report within a week. — PTI

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