In a major security breach, a British national who had arrived at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi from Bangkok, fled the immigration area and escaped into the city. The Delhi Police,
Central Industrial Security Force, Bureau of Immigration and other agencies concerned are on the lookout for the man who has not been traced yet, News18 has learnt.
The incident took place on October 28, when the passenger, identified as Fitz Patrick, a British citizen, (passport number 55819****), arrived from Bangkok by Air India flight AI 333.
Officials privy to the matter told News18 that the flight arrived at IGI airport around 12 noon on October 28. “The passenger had his connecting flight to London which also was an Air India flight AI 117, scheduled for take-off at 2.10 pm that day. As we are aware, the passenger missed his flight as he reported late and therefore remained in the international to international passenger transfer area,” the officer said.
It was only the next day on October 29, when the airline staff reported a missing passenger, authorities concerned at Delhi airport were alerted. When efforts were made to track the passenger, it was found that around 7.30 am, he scaled the arrival immigration e-visa counter and exited the airport through arrival gate number four, another official told News18.
During further investigation, he was also seen moving towards city side. He was spotted boarding an Air India SATS staff ferry bus, the officials said.
News18 has confirmed the development with at least two different agencies who confirmed the arrival and escaping of the passenger. They also confirmed that the passenger has not been traced yet after more than a week.
Calls and text messages sent to Deputy Commissioner of Police, Delhi Airport remained unanswered.
CISF, that secures the airports, was also contacted but no response was received.
The officials contacted also could not confirm if the man’s luggage was traced and anything suspicious was found in it. They also chose to remain silent when asked if the man had a valid Indian visa to exit the transit area and enter New Delhi.
