New Delhi, Oct 9: Pulling up DGCA for a “hasty” decision, the Delhi High Court today stayed the aviation regulator's order withdrawing operational safety clearance to repair and maintenance firm Indocopters Private Ltd (IPL), a group company of Ravi Rishi-led Global Vectra Helicorp Ltd.
Justice Rajiv Shakdher also issued notices to DGCA and Ministries of Civil Aviation and Home Affairs (MHA) and asked them to file replies by October 10, the next date of hearing.
The Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) had on September 18 revoked Approved Maintenance Organisation (AMO) approval and the Continuing Airworthiness Requirements (CAR) certificate of the IPL after the MHA raised security concerns and withdrew the clearance accorded to Ravi Rishi-led firms.
Ravi Rishi-led Global Vectra Helicorp Ltd, to which IPL is a sister concern, is the largest shareholder in Tatra Holdings owning the Czech truck manufacturer Tatra that is facing CBI probe for allegedly supplying trucks at exorbitant price to the Indian Army.
During the hearing, Justice Shakdher took a strong note of the “hasty” decision of DGCA to revoke the approvals of the IPL saying “why you did not wait till October 18?” The court is slated to hear the case of Global Vectra Helicorp Ltd on the same issue on October 18. IPL runs a helicopter repair and maintenance base.
The counsel for the Aviation Ministry, however, said the decision to revoke AMO approval and the CAR certificate to the firm has been taken following the withdrawal of security clearance by the MHA.
Senior advocate Atul Nanda, appearing for IPL, said “the revocation of AMO approval and the CAR certificate can only be done as per the rules prescribed under the Aircraft Act after serving a notice... and it cannot be done due to withdrawal of security clearance.”
