NEW DELHI, JANUARY 28: Several passengers, who were held hostage on IC-814, have decided to come together and sue Indian Airlines and security agencies, demanding compensation of nearly Rs 100 crore for the ``harassment caused to them during the hijack''.As life began returning to normal a few days after they were released at Kandahar and flown back to India on December 31, passengers began contacting each other. ``I had exchanged a few addresses and phone numbers, so I got in touch with people. Everybody felt that we had gone through a lot and something ought to be done. We decided that we should be compensated for the harassment. Some others suggested that we demand legal action against the agencies responsible for the lapses that led to the hijack,'' says Rajinder Singh, a businessman from Vishnu Garden, who had gone with his bride for a honeymoon to Nepal.``We met for a meal at one of the passenger's house and decided that a claim be filed against Indian Airlines and the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security. There are about 30 of us right now and the figure decided on is Rs 100 crore,'' Singh adds. The passengers had met at a lawyer's office, but did not agree upon the terms of the claim, he says and ``then we fixed another meeting for January 26, which was put off due to other engagements. Now, we are meeting again in a few days time to finalise the details of the suit.''``We have a long list of people who are willing to take on the authorities. Besides, everyday more and more people are coming together,'' says Arvind Grover, another honeymooner from the Capital. There are others who feel that the agencies involved with the aircraft and its security ought to have been more responsive. ``The Government itself should have thought of some kind of compensation. Some passengers called me and said we are filing a claim, I told them it may not yield anything, but I am with the others,'' says Pawan Garg.Passengers point out that they were told by the airline that there was no provision for any compensation. ``I was surprised at the airlines' insensitivity. They should have approached us. No one even called to apologise. I am sure not even one IA chap lost even a day's salary,'' says Sanjay Gupta, an executive. ``I feel taken for granted,'' he says angrily. Indian Airline official sources, however, say that no one is entitled to get compensation, except in case of death. ``The compensation rules are governed by the Warsaw Pact which came about during the World War II. The airline is expected to pay only in case someone dies during the hijack,'' an IA spokesperson points out.Some passengers say that they are willing to sue the airlines not for money, but simply to ``change the system.'' Says Harvinder Arora: ``We should file a case so that things change and no one is hijacked in the future. It was a very bad experience.'' Meanwhile, Rachna Katyal, whose husband Rupin Katyal was killed by hijackers on board the Indian Airlines flight, received $20,000 as compensation last week. Rupin's father, C M Katyal, said that the claim for compensation was ``settled quickly''. He added that the Airlines has also offered a job to Rachna.
