Another pilot arrested for using fake marksheet to get license

NEW DELHI: One more pilot has been arrested here for allegedly using forged marksheets to procure commercial pilot flying licence, taking the total number of people arrested in such cases to 24.

Anirudh Kiran Deshpande (23) was arrested yesterday after it was found that he used forged marksheets to convert his Philippines Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) into Indian Commercial Pilot Licence.

The police action came on a complaint filed by the Chief Vigilance Officer at the Directorate General of Civil Aviation here.

"Deshpande obtained his Foreign CPL from Spartan College of Aeronautics & Technology, TULSA Okhlama in 2008. After coming to India, he appeared for two papers -- Air Navigation Composite and Air Regulation in July 2009 Session. However he could not clear the Air Navigation Composite paper," Ashok Chand, Deputy Commissioner, Crime and Railways, said.

He reappeared for the paper in October 2009 and January 2010 but in vain and in the meantime he came in contact with one O P Malhotra outside the DGCA office.

"Malhotra assured him that he could help him in clearing the paper and obtaining CPL at the earliest as he had contacts in DGCA. A deal was struck for Rs 3 lakh and Rs 1,80,000 was paid as advance," Chand said.

On Malhotra's advice, Anirudh Kiran Deshpande again appeared in April 2010 session but failed to clear the paper this time as well.