The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is grappling with a corruption scandal, with at least one senior official, Anil Gill, facing accusations for the third time. The allegations, if proven true, could expose one of the most serious cases of bribery and rule violations within the aviation regulator.
– Anil Gill, accused thrice in his eight-year DGCA tenure, particularly under scrutiny.
– Allegations involve coercing pilots and flying schools into paying kickbacks to overlook rule violations.
– Gill allegedly used his position to favor companies linked to him, Bluethroat Aero Global and Sabres Corporate Solutions.
– Accusations include FTOs selling aircraft at nominal prices to linked companies, subsequently leasing them for training.
– Preliminary probe findings sent to aviation secretary Vumlunmang Vualnam on November 7.
The scandal revolves around serious accusations against Anil Gill, who, despite being accused of corruption on two previous occasions, faces renewed scrutiny. The latest complaint, filed anonymously and sent to the aerosports division on October 25, alleges Gill’s misuse of power to solicit kickbacks from pilots and flying schools.
Intriguingly, Gill’s alleged ties to Bluethroat Aero Global and Sabres Corporate Solutions raise concerns. Bluethroat Aero’s functional director, Vikas Nain, denies the allegations, emphasizing the legitimate purchase of aircraft from private operators.
The preliminary report, submitted on November 7, underscores Gill’s influence on the issuance of student pilot licenses and regulator scrutiny of Flying Training Organizations (FTOs). Of particular concern is the claim that Gill accepted aircraft as bribes, an unprecedented allegation in DGCA history.
Specific instances include FTOs, unable to pay alleged bribes, selling aircraft at nominal prices to Bluethroat Aero and Sabres. These linked companies then lease the aircraft for training, raising questions about the integrity of DGCA processes.
Gill refrains from commenting due to legal obligations, with a close associate denying the bribery allegations. Vikas Nain from Bluethroat Aero dismisses the accusations as baseless and expresses intent to address them legally.
While awaiting further investigation, the scandal resurrects past controversies surrounding the DGCA and its officials. Former top DGCA officials indicate that previous complaints against Gill underwent thorough investigation without substantial findings.
The aviation regulator now grapples with restoring its tarnished image as the allegations point to a potential systemic issue. As investigations unfold, the DGCA faces the critical task of ensuring transparency and accountability in its ranks.
