Kolkata Airport: In a serious breach of aviation security protocols, a domestic flyer was detained at Kolkata’s Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport after security personnel found live bullets inside his luggage during routine screening on Monday. This incident has raised renewed concerns over gaps in passenger baggage screening and the need for heightened vigilance amid increased travel.
Kolkata Airport: Incident Summary
The flyer, who was scheduled to board a domestic flight to a northern Indian city, allegedly failed to declare the presence of live ammunition in his checked-in baggage.
The bullets were identified during the final scan at the security hold area (SHA) before boarding. Upon questioning, the flyer claimed ignorance, stating the bullets may have been “accidentally left” in his bag.
CISF Response & Detainment
The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) officers immediately intercepted the individual and handed him over to local police under the Arms Act. Authorities confirmed that a First Information Report (FIR) was filed at the Airport Police Station.
CISF Statement:
“The passenger was found carrying live cartridges without a valid license. After preliminary questioning, he was handed over to the police for further legal action.”
Legal Consequences Under Arms Act
As per Section 25 of the Arms Act, 1959, possession of ammunition without valid authorization can lead to imprisonment of up to seven years and fines. The severity of the charge depends on whether the individual holds any valid firearm license, which, in this case, was reportedly absent.
DGCA & Airport Authority of India Guidelines
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) have strict regulations prohibiting the carriage of weapons or ammunition without prior disclosure and permissions.
Airports like Kolkata follow multi-layered security checks, including:
- X-ray scanning of hand and check-in baggage
- Manual frisking at boarding gates
- Random baggage checks by CISF Quick Reaction Teams
Failure to detect such items earlier may point to procedural lapses that will now be under investigation.
Past Incidents of Similar Nature
In recent years, multiple cases have surfaced where bullets were found in bags of passengers—mostly individuals from law enforcement or military backgrounds who inadvertently carried leftover ammunition. However, authorities treat every such case with zero tolerance, given the risk of misuse or accidental discharge.
Previous Examples:
- In 2023, a CRPF jawan was detained at Lucknow airport for carrying two bullets in his wallet.
- In 2022, a businessman at Mumbai airport was booked for possession of six cartridges.
Airport Surveillance & Passenger Safety Measures
Following the incident, CISF has reportedly enhanced:
- Surprise baggage audits
- Use of AI-integrated baggage scanners
- Passenger profiling based on travel history and behavior
The Airport Director has also called for a review of existing passenger screening workflows to avoid such oversights in future.
Reactions from Flyers & Experts
Passenger Response:
Several travelers expressed concern about how such a lapse made it through initial checks, questioning the efficiency of layered security protocols.
Aviation Analyst Ajay Chauhan:
“The presence of bullets—intentional or not—can pose serious threats. Airports must adopt predictive algorithms and multi-mode scanning to flag anomalies instantly.”
Official Follow-Up & Investigation
The detained flyer remains under custody. Police are verifying:
- His travel history
- Weapon ownership (if any)
- Background with law enforcement or armed forces
Meanwhile, a detailed incident report has been submitted to BCAS and DGCA.
External Resources
- Ministry of Civil Aviation – Government of India
- DGCA India: Guidelines on Air Safety and Security
- BCAS Official Site
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