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karatecatman · Guest

Update on UNI:
The Customs and Immigration Department has sent summons to officials of Air France for allegedly allowing two Indian passengers to board the plane without obtaining due immigration check at Chennai airport.

It is also said the two had reportedly boarded the flight to Paris via London yesterday using the fake immigration seal from here. The flight departed before they could be asked to disembark.

However, sources said Immigration officials had informed the airlines. The two passengers would be deported to Chennai soon and would be handed over either to the Customs or Immigration officials.

It is learnt that the two were travelling in the names of Ahmed Mahrof Amin and Kiran Kumar who were holders of original passports.

Meanwhile summons had been sent to Air France manager, pilot and air hostess who were on duty during the incident.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/NEWS/India/Two_Indians_fly_to_Paris_with_fake_seals/articleshow/1799963.cms
Two Indians fly to Paris with fake seals
[ 23 Mar, 2007 1742hrs ISTPTI ]

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CHENNAI: Two Indians, who boarded an Air France flight to Paris via London from Kamaraj International airport here on Friday morning using fake seals of the Chennai Immigration department, would be detained on arrival at Paris, immigration authorities said.

They said the duo had travelled on fake passports issued to persons in Thanjavur in Tamil Nadu and Vishakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh. The two had travelled in the names of Ahmad Maroof Ahmad Amin (Thanjavur) and Kiran Kumar (Vishakhapatnam).

"The duo boarded the flight using fake seals of the Chennai Immigration department. This was quickly detected and we informed the flight crew about the duo having used fake immigration seals. They will be detained on arrival at Paris" Avi Prakash, immigration officer, said.

Since they gave the slip to immigration officials, details of their travel documents were not available. But the airline staff provided the names and passport numbers, he said.

'Because of this, the original passport holders will face some problems' the official said.

The Chennai-France-London Flight 201 reportedly took off without the mandatory certificate from customs and immigration departments, listing passengers cleared to board the flight.

Meanwhile, customs authorities said they had just received the relevant papers. The matter would be adjudicated only after the airline gave an explanation and after receiving the reports of other government departments.

Customs officials clarified that officials of scheduled flights provide the passenger list even after the flight has taken off. In this case, it was not done, they said.

In all 264 of the 266 passengers and crew on board had received immigration and customs clearance.

stealthpilot · Member Joined: 19 Dec 2006 Posts: 2325 Location: BLR, DXB

First of all, it was an AF flight to London via Paris right?

Secondly can someone explain this to me please? Is this an issue of AF not submitting the passenger manifest to the Indian authorities after departure or were the 2 not supposed to be on board in the first place?

Air France let them board "without obtaining due immigration check at Chennai airport" ...... what does that have to do with AF? I thought the airline was responsible for checking the passport and visas when the passenger checks in and not after that.
Anyone? Confused

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VABBy · Member Joined: 19 Dec 2006 Posts: 823 Location: DEL

This is a classic case of poorly written article. Agreed that these people used fake immigration stamps bt then wasnt this detected when they were clearing immigration at MAA airport. The big question hw did they clear customs at Madras
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karatecatman · Guest

NEW INDIAN EXPRESS
Air customs plans penal action against Air France
Monday March 26 2007 00:44 IST
CHENNAI: Air Customs is planning to take penal action against Air France for clearing their Chennai-London-Paris flight for take off without customs approval on Friday.

The incident came to light when officials detected that two persons had flown in the flight using fake immigration seal.

“This is a rare case. There is no precedent because airlines normally does not proceed with a flight without obtaining the customs clearance. It is mandatory to declare the passengers and also the cargo in a flight to customs and get clearance before the aircraft takes off. The flight cannot take off without getting the clearance even if that delays the schedule,” said C Rajan, Commissioner, Air Customs.

Customs have recorded statements of airport manager of Air France and also another official of the airline, who was entrusted with the duty of obtaining the signatures of customs on the General Declaration form, on Saturday. They have also summoned the Captain of the aircraft, which took off without perhaps receiving the signed declaration form.

“The captain is expected to arrive on Monday. Appropriate action will be taken against the airline after listening to their version of the incident”, he added.

karatecatman · Guest

Update on this:

http://www.hindu.com/2007/03/28/stories/2007032820501000.htm
Two passengers who flew to Paris were Sri Lankan nationals

Plan to issue show-cause notice to Air France

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The passengers destroyed their passports and other documents during transit
This clearly indicates they used fake documents to book tickets, check-in