The police investigating into the security lapses that occurred during the visit of former Chief Minister YS Jaganmohan Reddy for Papireddy Palli village in Chennekothapalli mandal of Sri Sathya Sai district last month, is not moving fast. When he arrived here in a special helicopter from Bangalore, a large number of YSRCP workers and leaders surrounded the helicopter in which he landed.
Due to some confusion on this occasion, the helicopter’s windshield was damaged. The helicopter crew refused to take him on the return journey. The helicopter returned without taking Jaganmohan Reddy with it. With this, he went to Bangalore by road.
YSRCP leaders alleged that the helicopter was damaged due to security lapses. In the wake of this allegation, the police have launched a comprehensive investigation into this. An inquiry has been initiated into what kind of accident happened to the helicopter on the day of Jaganmohan Reddy’s visit.
Notices were given to the pilot and co-pilot to appear for the hearing on the 16th of last month. On the 16th, the co-pilot, along with his lawyer, appeared at the Chennekothapalli police station for the hearing and presented their arguments. But, pilot Anil Kumar was unable to appear as he was on mandatory leave, he told the police officers that day.
The Sathya Sai district police served a notice to pilot Anil Kumar to appear on another date. He was supposed to appear on May 1st and 2nd to give an explanation about the problems related to the helicopter. However, Anil Kumar did not appear for the hearing on May 1st and 2nd either. It is reported that the police are preparing for further action in the wake of his absence.
Police are expecting Anil Kumar’s explanation will be crucial to ascertain what really happened on that day. It is reported that in the explanation given by the co-pilot, it was said that the decision to take off as the helicopter’s windshield was damaged is in the pilot’s hands.
It is yet to be ascertained how the pilot refused to take former Chief Minister YS Jaganmohan Reddy in the helicopter and then took off. The police have still served notices to the helicopter company and the travel agency that booked it. After all of them give their explanations, it will be clear whose fault it was in the tour that day.