Airhostess death bad news for prosecution in fake hijack case

NEW DELHI: The alleged suicide of former airhostess Neha Chhikara may prove to be a setback for the prosecution in the case of a fake hijack scare in an Indigo airlines flight triggered by passenger Jitender Mohla last year. The connection: Chhikara was the airhostess who had informed the cockpit about the aggressive behaviour of the 42-year-old chartered accountant in the Delhi-bound flight.She was also the main complainant in the case on whose statement the FIR against Mohla was registered by the police.
Amid allegations that constant physical and mental harassment by her husband and in-laws drove Neha to suicide, Mohla’s counsel claims that reports of her being in severe mental depression will have a positive effect on their case. ‘‘We have always claimed that the flight staff was immature and blew the situation out of proportion. Now, reports of the airhostess being under tremendous stress at the time of her working in the airlines indicates that she mishandled the situation,’’ said Mohla’s counsel, Sharat Kapoor.
Mohla was arrested at Indira Gandhi International Airport on February 1 last year for his alleged aggressive behaviour on the flight which led to a hijack scare and forced an emergency landing.
In the chargesheet filed against Mohla, the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) has stated that he tried to harass Chhikara by moving his hand towards her neck to demonstrate how a particular nerve could be pressed to make anyone unconscious. Chhikara and another airhostess were present during the incident. Chhikara had informed the lead airhostess who in turn told the cockpit.
It has been the contention of the defence from the beginning of the case that none of the people on board other than Chhikara said that Mohla had claimed to be the hijacker. ‘‘In fact, Mohla always stated that Chhikara was constantly on phone with someone and crying inconsolably. Besides, it’s on record that the captain of the plane repeatedly told the ATC and radar that there was no hijack situation,’’ added Kapoor.
The counsel said that if her statements are not corroborated, it will affect the case. According to the defence, she had only deposed before the police and BCAS and the recording of her statement before a court was pending.
Mohla has been in custody for almost a year. He was denied bail by both the trial court and high court. The counsel withdrew a bail plea from SC recently as arguments on charge is fixed for January 11.
smriti.singh@timesgroup.com