DGCA Official Suspended: ‘Aircraft as bribes’: DGCA official suspended, government warns of ‘disciplinary’ action | India News

NEW DELHI: A senior Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) official accused of taking training aircraft as bribes from flying schoolshas been placed under suspension with immediate effect. Captain Anil Gill, who was shifted as director in DGCA’s directorate of aerosports from flying training after these allegations surfaced last month, could now face “disciplinary proceedings”.
Union aviation minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said: “There is zero tolerance to malpractices. Any such issue will be dealt with the strictest measures in accordance with the law.”

The aviation ministry in an order issued Wednesday said “Captain Gill should be (in) New Delhi and not leave the headquarters without (prior) permission.” If the probe finds these allegations correct, this could be the biggest corruption scandal involving the DGCA in recent years.

A whistleblower in an anonymous complaint sent to aviation authorities on October 25 alleged that Gill, who headed the directorate of flying training for many years, took bribes from FTOs. This, as per the complaint which is now being probed, included taking training aircraft for companies allegedly linked to him at “nominal prices”. These planes were then rented out to some other flying training organisations (FTO) who would allegedly then have their shortcomings overlooked during regulatory audits as a quid pro quo. These violations included safety lapses that resulted in multiple aircraft accidents, according to the complaint.
Meanwhile, it is alleged that FTOs which could not pay bribes sought by Gill would sell aircraft at “nominal prices” to companies allegedly linked to Gill. These firms have Gill’s mother, his brother’s wife, aunt, a cousin, and his brother-in-law as directors. They would then lease training aircraft to other FTOs for about Rs 90 lakh annually. Captain gill has denied all these allegations. As head of directorate of flying training (DFT), Gill was incharge of flying schools in India where students go to get their pilot licenses.
Incidentally, Red Bird — India’s biggest flying school — also operated some of these planes that were leased from companies allegedly linked to Gill. Flying at all of Red Bird’s bases was stopped last month after two crashes in quick succession. The DGCA is now doing Red Bird’s re-certification afresh. Red Bird denies any wrongdoing.
Incidentally in 2021 also DCGA’s chief vigilance officer (CVO) had probed complaints of Gill accepting aircraft as a bribe. While at that time the complaints were investigated, nothing substantial is learnt to have been found then.