Six months after a Delhi-bound American Airlines flight from New York received an alleged bomb threat, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has taken over the probe into the incident from the Delhi Police and is investigating a larger conspiracy angle.
The NIA re-registered a fresh FIR on the directions of the Ministry of Home Affairs.
“On February 23, IGI airport police station received information regarding presence of a bomb in American flight no AA-292…based on this threat message, the aircraft was diverted to Rome airport, this led to significant operational disruptions for aircraft, crew member and customers and thereby endangering the safety of aircraft in flight,” the FIR said.
The FIR added that the central government was of the opinion that a scheduled offence under the National Investigation Agency Act, 2008, had been committed. “…having regard to the gravity of the offence, its national and international ramifications, it is required to be investigated by the NIA…,” the FIR stated.
On February 23, after receiving a threat message, a Bomb Threat Assessment Committee (BTAC) was formed at the Delhi airport to conduct a proper inspection of the aircraft at the nearest airport. But the plane was later diverted to Rome for the necessary checks.
American Airlines had said in a statement that Flight AA292 was diverted to Rome due to a “possible security concern”. It had said that the flight “was inspected by law enforcement” after landing at Leonardo da Vinci International Airport and “cleared to re-depart”. The airline added that the possible issue was determined to be non-credible, but as per Delhi airport protocol, an inspection was required before landing in the city.
Later, the Delhi Police lodged an FIR based on the complaint lodged by American Airlines. It was registered under sections 217 and 351(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Section 3 of the Suppression of Unlawful Acts Against Safety of Civil Aviation Act.
