Sahib hears a ‘sorry’

Even as the Civil Aviation Ministry continues to procrastinate the inquiry on the March 26 fiasco involving Union Labour Minister Sahib Singh Verma at the Mumbai airport, Verma has claimed that Jet Airways Chairman Naresh Goyal recently sent feelers to schedule a meeting to apologise for the incident.

‘‘He has been sending messages through various people to meet me. But I have declined because there is nothing more I have to discuss on the incident with him. The day after the incident I received several calls from their Vice-President and then by Goyal himself. They also sent in a written apology,’’ Verma told The Indian Express.

While Jet Airways denied these claims, Verma said the messages had been pouring in from various quarters till a couple of days ago. ‘‘When the Civil Aviation Ministry is already inquiring the incident why should I meet anyone,’’ he added. But more than two weeks after the incident, the inquiry report is yet to see the light of the day despite promises by Civil Aviation Minister Shahnawaz Hussain. In fact, one of the Deputy Director Generals of Civil Aviation (DGCA) went down to Mumbai to conduct the inquiry is yet to finalise the complete report.