'Zero Tolerance Towards Malpractices': Centre Suspends Senior DGCA Official Capt Anil Gill Over Graft Charge

His suspension comes following a recommendation by a vigilance panel formed by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) conducted its preliminary probe into allegations of corruption.

The senior DGCA official was suspended following corruption charges against him. ( Image Source :Getty )

New Delhi: The central government on Wednesday suspended former director of Flying Training Anil Gill with immediate effect as investigation is underway on corruption charges against him.

His suspension comes following a recommendation by a vigilance panel formed by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) conducted its preliminary probe into allegations of corruption.

Government of India suspends with immediate effect Capt. Anil Gill as a probe against him on graft charges is underway pic.twitter.com/pBCZzNfnbl

— ANI (@ANI) November 22, 2023

“There is zero tolerance towards malpractices. Any such issue will always be dealt with the strictest measures in accordance with the law,” ANI quoted Union Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia as saying.

"The President in exercise of the powers conferred by sub-rule (1) of Rule 10 of the Central Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 1965, hereby places the said Capt. Anil Gill posted in Directorate of Aerosports under suspension with immediate effect," a statement issued by DGCA said.

According to reports, Gill, former Director of Flying and Training Division (DFT) at the DGCA, allegedly misused his authority to obtain three aircraft as bribes from flying schools.

According to the complaint registered against Gill, he used his authority to force the pilots and flying schools to pay kickbacks to businesses associated with him. In exchange, his company would turn a blind eye if a pilot was discovered to have violated any regulation. It is also alleged that the flying training organisations that could not pay the bribe that Gill sought had to sell their aircraft at "nominal prices" to the companies associated with him. 

The complaint against Gill was submitted to DGCA on October 25.

“It is further ordered that during the period that this order shall remain in force the headquarters of Captain Anil Gill, Director should be New Delhi and the said Captain Anil Gill shall not leave the headquarters without obtaining the previous permission,” the DGCA statement added.