Ambani copter case: aviation experts to assist crime branch

According to sources,on Monday,at least two aviation experts are expected to interact with the special investigative team of the crime branch.

“We have come to know that a couple of experts from the DGCA will be coming to meet us on Monday to assist us in the case. Further details are not known to us at this stage,” said an officer attached to the crime branch on condition of anonymity.

Confirming the development,a spokesperson for the Ministry of Civil Aviation,said,“To help the Mumbai police in the investigation with technical details of the aircraft,a team of experts from the DGCA would be arriving on Monday.”

On April 23,while the Anil Ambani’s Bell 412 helicopter was going through a check at maintenance company Air Work’s hanger in Kalina,a technician noticed that the cap of the fuel tank was open,and then found mud and gravel inside the fuel tank. According to the complaint lodged by the Anil Dirubhai Ambani Group (ADAG),the mud and gravel could have caused mid-air loss of power in the engines if it had reached the gear-box. In the complaint,ADAG also alleged that the sabotage attempt on Anil Ambani’s helicopter was engineered by a business rival with the intention of killing him.

On April 26,the crime branch had written to the DGCA seeking an expert opinion on the extent of damage that could have been caused in mid-flight by the pebbles and soil. According to the crime branch,the expert opinion would also help determine whether an attempted murder charge should be applied in the case.

Crime branch sources revealed that definite leads had been obtained and the case was nearing detection. The interrogation of one or two more suspects is being completed.