Ex-staff enters IGI with fake ID card, helps smugglers
Exposing loopholes in the security at the Delhi international airport, a former airport employee used a forged pass to enter the premises thrice before being caught by the Customs for allegedly helping gold smugglers.
The accused, Mohammed Nasir, used to work with a company at the Delhi airport and had a valid airport entry pass till October 2016. After he left the job, he made a replica of the pass and used it to enter the airport.
“On May 25, Customs nabbed a passenger and a former staff member with 24 gold bars worth ₹80 lakh. Investigation revealed that Nasir, who was helping the passenger in dodging Customs check, had left the job and was using a forged pass. The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) was informed and they got him arrested,” a police officer said.
Questioning revealed how Nasir had taken advantage of cracks in the security arrangement at Delhi airport.
Nasir disclosed that he worked in a company at the airport and got the AEP (Airport Entry Pass) in 2016. When he left the job last year, he forged the entry pass with the help of his co-accused, who is still at large.
“The case is under investigation and source of forgery is being ascertained,” DCP (airport) Sanjay Bhatia said.
The Bureau for Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), which frames rules on aviation security, has also reviewed the security as it is they who prepare the pass design and claim that it cannot be forged.
“It has a hologram and security feature. He prepared a scanned copy of the pass. We are issuing new passes to employees and have asked the CISF to check these passes carefully,” said a BCAS official.