Live Cartridge Detected in Passenger's Hand Baggage at Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Airport
A significant security incident unfolded at the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar airport on Wednesday morning when security personnel detected a live cartridge in the hand baggage of a passenger during routine screening. The discovery prompted immediate action, leading to the registration of an FIR at the MIDC Cidco police station.
Incident Details and Security Protocol Breach
According to the complaint filed by CISF sub-inspector Hanuman Meena, who is stationed at the security hold area of the airport, the incident occurred on January 28. The security check was being conducted for passengers boarding an Air India flight bound for Delhi. Meena, along with assistant sub-inspector K S Pasbhar and constable Chandan Kumar Shah, was on duty between 5:30 AM and 1:30 PM.
At approximately 8:40 AM, while screening passengers and their hand baggage for Air India flight AI 1836 to Delhi, a suspicious image resembling a firearm component appeared on the X-ray scanning machine. Upon physical inspection of the passenger's small handbag, the security team recovered one live cartridge of .38 GFL Special ammunition.
The passenger was identified as Ramesh Sakrani, a 60-year-old resident of Rohini Sector 16 in Delhi. When questioned, Sakrani failed to provide a satisfactory explanation for possessing the live cartridge. He admitted that he did not hold any valid licence or authorisation to carry ammunition, which is a clear violation of aviation security protocols.
Legal Actions and Investigation
The CISF officer emphasised that passengers are explicitly instructed at the time of ticket issuance that carrying any kind of arms, ammunition, or related materials during air travel is strictly prohibited. Warning boards conveying this message are prominently displayed across the airport premises. Despite these clear instructions, the passenger allegedly entered the airport building with the live cartridge in his possession.
Based on the CISF complaint, the MIDC Cidco police registered a case under sections 3 and 25(1B) of the Arms Act, 1959. Inspector Somnath Jadhav provided further details, noting that Sakrani and his wife had visited Maharashtra a few days prior to the incident, touring religious sites such as Shirdi and Triambakeshwar.
Jadhav stated, "He said that he is not aware of the source of the bullet. We, along with the ATS, carried out his background check but did not find anything suspicious. He was arrested late on Wednesday. On Thursday, he was produced before the court, which granted him bail."
Ongoing Investigation and Security Implications
The police are currently carrying out further investigations to determine the origins of the live cartridge and whether there are any additional security concerns. This incident highlights the critical importance of stringent security measures at airports to prevent potential threats.
Authorities are reviewing the procedures to ensure such breaches do not recur, underscoring the need for passengers to adhere strictly to aviation security guidelines. The case serves as a reminder of the legal consequences of violating arms and ammunition regulations, especially in sensitive environments like airports.
