Prashant Sukul replaces Bharat Bhushan as Directorate General of Civil Aviation Chief

NEW DELHI: In a sudden move, EK Bharat Bhushan, the chief of Directorate General of Civil Aviation, has been stripped of his position and replaced by Prashant Sukul, a joint secretary to the aviation ministry. Sukul will hold temporary charge for a few weeks as DGCA head until Arun Mishra returns from International Civil Aviation Organisation to take over, sources said.

Bharat Bhushan will return to the aviation ministry as the additional secretary and financial advisor. The sudden change of guard has taken many by surprise as Bhushan's tenure was extended on three occasions as the ministry could not find a suitable replacement.

Bharat Bhushan is best remembered for his crackdown on fake pilots and flying schools scams. Sources reveal that Bhushan was eased out for the hard stance he adopted against Kingfisher Airlines and Air India.