On Tuesday, a judge in France ordered the release of 25 Indian passengers from the plane that had been grounded over suspicions of human trafficking.
This decision followed the landing of 276 passengers from the same plane in Mumbai a day earlier. In response to the unfolding events, Maharashtra’s Special Inspector General of Police (Prevention of Crimes against Women and Children) wrote to the Mumbai police, urging an investigation into the trafficking angle.
25 Individuals Freed in France
Out of the 303 passengers on the plane, 25 chose to remain in France and had applied for political asylum. The judge’s release order on Tuesday was based on formal grounds, with prosecutors citing the failure of the head of the border police at Charles de Gaulle airport to refer the case to the judge within the legally specified timeframe. The Bobigny prosecutor’s office stated that the passengers are now free to move as they please, even if they are in an irregular situation on French territory.
Among those who stayed in France were five minors, who are now under the care of child welfare services.
Mumbai Launches Human Trafficking Investigation
Mumbai’s Special Inspector General of Police, IPS officer Deepak Pandey, has called for an investigation into the human trafficking angle.
He requested the Mumbai police to keep his office informed about the progress of the probe. Additionally, Pandey urged the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) officials, who reportedly interrogated the passengers upon their return to India, to submit detailed reports to the city police within 24 hours.
On Tuesday (Dec 26), a plane carrying 276 people landed in India. Prior to their release, passengers underwent questioning by immigration and law enforcement agencies. However, no case was registered by the Sahar police as immigration officers did not file a complaint.
Background: Flight and Alleged Human Trafficking
On December 21, 303 Indian passengers boarded a Legend Airlines’ A340 flight operated by Romanian company Legend Airlines in Dubai.
The plane, en route to India, made a stop in Vatry, France, for refueling. Based on a tip-off alleging the transportation of suspected trafficking victims, the plane was grounded for four days.
Subsequently, the charge of human trafficking was dropped after it was determined that the passengers had boarded the plane voluntarily.
