KFA employees demand Mallya's prosecution; to disrupt IPL

Frustrated over not getting salary for last 10 months, Kingfisher Airlines employees today asked the government to prosecute promoter Vijay Mallya and threatened to disrupt IPL matches.

"If Gopal Kanda, promoter of MDLR airlines, can be prosecuted for suicide of an employee why can't the government prosecute Vijay Mallya for suicide of the family member of his employees," said Santosh Gautam, President of Kingfisher Airlines Maintenance Association.

They also threatened to disrupt IPL matches of the Royal Challenger Bangalore (RCB), the team owned by Mallya.

"Last time, when Formula 1 race was being organised here, afraid of our protests, KFA management paid our salary of one month and assured to pay the dues in instalments but they have failed to keep their promises. This time, we will protest outside the venue wherever RCB team plays their matches," said S C Mishra, another employee.

The protesting employees have urged RCB players to boycott Mallya's team. They have also asked the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) not to allow RCB to participate in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL).

The employees asked the government to amend labour laws making non-payment of salaries a criminal offence and said "the Supreme Court should take suo motu cognizance of our matter in specific and in general for overall reforms required for the benefit of working class."

Seeking an early intervention on the issue, the employees have written letters to the President, the Prime Minister, the Chief Justice of India, UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Civil Aviation Minister Ajit Singh, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation Arun Mishra.

Some Kingfisher employees in Delhi had on Wednesday decided to disrupt IPL matches to be played by Mallya's team.

Following the unrest here, pilots in Bangalore had yesterday held a meeting and wrote a letter to the airline CEO Sanjay Aggarwal and Vice President Hitesh Patel seeking an audience with them.

In the letter, they reiterated the demand for payment of the wage backlog and sought steps by the airline management about refresher training for pilots through the DGCA.

This is a mandatory requirement for ensuring continuity of their flying licences.

Last October, some employees had threatened to protest outside the Formula 1 venue at Greater Noida but they decided to withdraw their agitation after management paid them salary of one month and assured to pay the dues in instalments thereafter. These instalments are yet to be paid.