A highly influential technocrat, who held top positions of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and Pawan Hans Helicopters, allegedly got Aerodrome Entry Permit (Airport Entry Pass-AEP) by misrepresenting facts. The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) swung into action after the matter was highlighted on Twitter by Kalchakra. A show cause notice has been issued to the Aeronautical Society of India on 9 November 2022 to this effect seeking an explanation by the society within three days.

Ex Chairman of HAL, Dr. RK Tyagi is accused of obtaining an AEP by misusing his influence in the Ministry of Civil Aviation and other contacts. Airport Entry Pass is issued to senior officials of the ministry, airline crew, ground staff, security personnel and other officials. As it is a pass that allows entry into high security areas, proper verification of credentials of the applicant is done by BCAS. Therefore, if any AEP is issued in violation of the laid norms or obtained by misrepresenting the facts, then it is considered to be a security breach. People have been sent to jail for violating such norms.

Dr. Tyagi, obtained an AEP by giving wrong details of his employment. In his application form (copy with Kalchakra) he has mentioned Aeronautical Society of India as his employer and has mentioned his designation as the President of the Society. Whereas the fact is that this position is an Honorary position. It is alleged that he fraudulently got ‘all airport all terminal pass’ issued in 2019 as a President Aeronautical Society of India, which is valid till 19 Dec 2022. (Copy of the existing pass with Kalchakra).

According to experts, this is a serious security breach, as he or any other person working in private societies, is not entitled for any Airport Entry Pass.

A senior official of the society, on the condition of anonymity, told that, “Tyagi was the President of the Society from 2017 till February 2020. As per the bye laws of the society, the President after relinquishing office remains a member of the Governing Council as Past President for two years”. He adds that, “this is a honorary position and not a paid position, so he cannot be treated as employee of the Society as claimed in the application form.”

Sources in the society confirmed that no member working privately or retired has ever got AEP on the behest of the Society. Tyagi obtained it by influencing people in MoCA and BCAS. People who are members of the society and during their service in the Ministry of Civil Aviation or any airline , do have the AEPs by virtue of their working position. However, these people have surrendered the AEPs after their retirement from Govt, PSUs or airlines.

After the matter came to the notice of BCAS officials through the Tweet by Kalchakra, a show cause notice was issued to the society. As per sources, BCAS officials are also looking into the matter as to how this pass was issued to a non-eligible person. As per sources in BCAS, the AEP issued to Tyagi was re-called by the Bureau when this matter came to light. One has to wait to see when will BCAS initiate appropriate action against the guilty as per the rules.