Man impersonating Singapore Airlines pilot detained at Delhi airport
What's the story
A 24-year-old man was detained at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport on Thursday for impersonating a pilot on duty.
The Central Industrial Security Force apprehended Singh near the airport skywalk. He was dressed in a pilot's uniform and carried an ID card claiming he was a Singapore Airlines employee.
He was identified as Sangeet Singh from Gautam Buddha Nagar in Uttar Pradesh.
Upon investigation, it was discovered that his credentials were falsified using a business card maker application.
Context
Why does this story matter?
During the investigation, police discovered that the man has procured the fake pilot ID using an online application used for business card maker.
Moreover, they found that his fake uniform was customized and purchased from Sector 9 in Dwarka.
Under Indian law, it is illegal to impersonate any official including pilots and police officials.
Subsequently, a case against Singh has been registered under Indian Penal Code sections 420, 468 and 471.
False identity
Singh's fraudulent ID card was created using a business card
Singh's fraudulent ID card was created using a business card maker application, falsely identifying him as a Singapore Airlines staff member.
The pilot's uniform he wore was procured from Dwarka, a region in the national capital.
Police records indicate that Singh had completed an aviation hospitality course in Mumbai in 2020.
Despite lacking any legitimate credentials, Singh managed to convince his family that he was a commercial pilot.
Similar case
Another Delhi man arrested in similar case
In a similar case, Delhi Police arrested a 48-year-old individual at the IGI Airport as he attempted to board a plane disguised as a Lufthansa Airlines captain to evade security checks and long queues.
Identified as Rajan Mahababuni, the accused reportedly ran a consultancy firm. Police revealed that Rajan had obtained a fake pilot ID days before pulling off the stint.
Moreover, investigations revealed he had previously shot videos inside the cockpits of several aircraft, which he uploaded on YouTube.