Panel to probe fake pilot licence scam

Pledging action in the scam, Ravi told reporters here on Saturday that his ministry was taking stringent action to end the menace.

The minister said the probe panel will get to the bottom of the issue and the ministry would make sure that strong action was taken against those found guilty. He said an audit has already been launched on the 40-odd flying schools situated across the country. If any discrepancy was found against any school, officials have been asked not to show any leniency.

So far, the Crime Branch of the Delhi Police have arrested six persons, including three pilots, in connection with the forgery. Three pilots and a conduit of the gang are still on the run while another pilot has joined investigations.

Chief of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) E K Bharat Bhushan said on Friday that any official of his organisation found to be involved in the scam would be proceeded against.

Bharat Bhushan was of the opinion that there were two types of frauds involved in the scam. One related to not passing the Commercial Pilot Licence exam and producing false marksheet to procure the flying licence.

The second type related to flying schools crediting flying hours in certificates which has actually not been undertaken by the persons concerned.