Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram   

Airport baggage handlers under scrutiny in acid-attack case

Thiruvananthapuram: The police are investigating 20 persons, mostly baggage handlers at the Thiruvananthapuram international airport, in connection with the acid attack on Air India (Security) manager S.S. Vatav.

Unidentified persons had thrown sulphuric acid on Mr. Vatav in front of his rented house at Karickakam at 7 p.m. on Saturday. He is currently being treated for acid burns at a private hospital in the city. The official will have to undergo a skin graft and plastic surgery.

The police have registered a case of culpable homicide not amounting to murder in connection with the incident.

An official said the section could be altered to attempted murder causing grievous hurt, depending on the final result of the investigation.

The police said Mr. Vatav first thought he was suffering a brain haemorrhage. It was only when he reached the hospital that he realised it was an acid attack. Mr. Vatav, who hails from north India, is living alone in the city.

The police said that Mr. Vatav was a strict, straight forward and honest officer.

He had dismissed some baggage handlers on the charge of accepting money as “tip” from air passengers. He was also very strict in verifying the antecedents, including identity cards, of baggage handlers before allowing them to enter the highly secure apron area of the international airport.

The police said they were verifying certain officials attached to a private company responsible for handling passenger baggage.

An official said certain persons with criminal background in the airport area could be responsible for the attack.

Sub Inspector, Pettah, P. Aijth Kumar, is heading the investigation.

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