Manu Bhaker row: Air India dismisses shooter’s harassment allegations, says it has CCTV footage

State-owned Air India has denied allegation of “harassment” of Tokyo Olympic prospect Manu Bhaker by two of the airline’s employees at Delhi airport.
In an announcement on Sunday, the flag service claimed that “legitimate” paperwork have been requested for from Bhaker when she was boarding its flight alongside together with her mom for Bhopal from Delhi on February 19, opposite to the allegations made by her in opposition to the airline.
The 19-year-old Commonwealth Games and Youth Olympics gold medallist pistol shooter had sought motion in opposition to two staff of the airline, for alleged “harassment” and “insulting” her.
She had alleged that she needed to undergo the “ordeal” regardless of carrying all legitimate paperwork and clearance from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) for travelling together with her weapons and ammunition.
Stating that as a accountable airline, it all the time “adheres” to the foundations and rules governing operations, it stated that “in this case also, Air India was only following the protocol regarding such a sensitive activity like the carriage of arms on board”.

Dear Ms BhakerOur Delhi Airport crew has confirmed that the official at our counter had solely searched for legitimate paperwork as per guidelines for carriage of your weapon on board. (1/3) https://t.co/HCV87u6eha
— Air India (@airindiain) February 19, 2021
“Our employee Manoj Gupta was at the counter throughout and had, at no point, communicated directly with Bhaker. This is also corroborated by the CCTV footage. Hence, the allegation of misbehaviour by him simply does not arise,” Air India stated within the assertion.
The CCTV footage additionally nullifies the passenger’s allegation of bribes being requested for and snatching of cell phone, it stated.
According to Air India, throughout check-in on the Delhi airport counter, Bhaker advised its check-in staff that she was carrying an Air Pistol and a 0.22-bore gun.
“She was advised by our counter personnel to get the documents, mandatory to carry arms and ammunition, verified by Air India security officials,” stated the assertion.
After verification of paperwork proven by Bhaker, the safety officers knowledgeable her that the doc required for exemption of cost of dealing with cost for carriage of arms, as per laid down norms, is just not there. And, they stated mounted costs for the carriage of arms must be paid, the airline clarified within the assertion.
It was defined to Bhaker that the doc for exemption proven by her was not “valid” because it was signed solely by the assistant secretary of the National Rifle Association. As per guidelines, particulars of which can be found on the Air India web site, signature of solely the secretary or president of a bonafide affiliation is recognised for waiver of the fees, Air India stated.
“Subsequently, the applicable charges – that is Rs 5,000 along with 5 per cent GST; for two, a total Rs 10,200 – were conveyed to Bhaker, who requested for 10-15 minutes from our personnel to procure the required document for waiver of charges for carriage of her arms on board,” stated the assertion.
The second she furnished the required doc to the Air India check-in and safety personnel, her baggage together with the arms have been accepted for carriage, the assertion stated.
Air India stated although the DGCA allow allowed her carriage of arms from February 20, in view of the Rifle Association certificates with bonafide signature, it prolonged courtesy to have her on board with the arms on February 19 itself.
“Subsequently, Bhaker with her mother proceeded for their security check and were facilitated to board the aircraft,” the airline added.
Air India has all the time inspired and has the best respect for sports activities and sportspersons, it stated.