Sr DGCA official booked by CBI in small aircraft deal

The CBI has booked a senior official of Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) for allegedly facilitating sale of an old airplane from his wife's company to an aircraft engineering institute in Kolkata in exchange for favours to the college.

The CBI has registered an FIR against Deputy Director Raje Bhatnagar for allegedly helping his wife's firm Global Aviation in the sale of aircraft, sources said.

They said Bhatnagar along with his wife Meenal and Irshad Ali of Global Aviations convinced Achariya Satyananda of Kolkata-based Aircraft Maintenance and Engineering Institute Pvt Ltd to purchase one Lear Jet 24 aircraft from Global Aviations which reportedly deals in small aircraft and their parts.

Bhatnagar had allegedly promised Satyananda if he purchases the aircraft from his wife Meenal's firm, he would ensure required DGCA approval for his college.

The firm in question, Global Aviation, was approved by DGCA in October, 2006.