New Delhi, June 14: Air India on Saturday said it is in the process of completing the one-time safety inspections, as mandated by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), for its Boeing 787 Dreamliner fleet.

This move comes in the wake of the tragic crash of a London-bound Air India flight (AI 171) from Ahmedabad.

In a statement shared on social media platform X, Air India said that nine of its Boeing 787 aircraft have already undergone the required safety checks.

“Air India is in the process of completing the one-time safety checks directed by the Indian aviation regulator, DGCA. These checks are being carried out on the Boeing 787 fleet as they return to India, before being cleared for their next operations,” the airline said.

“Air India has completed such checks on nine of the Boeing 787 aircraft and are on track to complete this process for the remaining 24 aircraft within the timeline provided by the regulator,” it added.

The airline added that it is on track to complete inspections for the remaining aircraft within the timeline specified by the regulator.

These checks are being conducted as the aircraft return to India and must be completed before the planes are cleared for their next flights.

However, the airline also emphasised that the additional checks may lead to longer turnaround times and could cause delays, especially on long-haul international routes that operate under strict airport curfews.

Passengers are being advised to check their flight status before leaving for the airport. The airline is offering refunds or complimentary rescheduling to customers affected by delays or cancellations caused by these safety inspections.

The DGCA had ordered enhanced inspections on Air India’s entire fleet of Boeing 787-8 and 787-9 aircraft equipped with Genx engines following Thursday’s deadly crash in Ahmedabad.

The directive includes a range of preventive maintenance measures such as inspections of fuel systems, cabin air compressors, hydraulic systems, and flight control systems, along with engine-related tests.

The checks must begin with effect from June 15 and compliance reports are to be submitted to the DGCA. Investigations into the cause of the crash are ongoing.

Meanwhile, as part of its commitment to support the victims’ families, Tata Sons has reiterated that it will provide Rs 1 crore in compensation to the families of each individual who lost their life in the crash — including passengers, crew members, and those on the ground.

A Tata Sons spokesperson added that the group will also cover the full medical expenses of all those injured in the incident, ensuring necessary care and long-term support.

Bhubaneswar, June 14: An official of the Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) in Odisha was arrested by the CBI for taking a bribe of Rs 10,000 from a chartered accountant for approving applications about two companies, an official said on Saturday.

Anil Rath, Senior Social Security Assistant (SSSA), EPFO Regional Office, Berhampur, District Ganjam, was allegedly harassing the complainant by delaying the approval, the official said.

A case was registered by the CBI on June 12 against Rath on the basis of a complaint filed by Suraj Kumar Dash.

He was booked for the offence of demanding undue advantage/bribe by a public servant under the Prevention of Corruption Act and criminal conspiracy under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

Rath allegedly demanded a bribe of Rs 10,000 from the complainant to approve the Authorised Signatory Application of two employers — Jai Jagannath Infratech and Uttam Padhi, on the EPFO Portal.

Dash said the application was repeatedly rejected by Rath between March and May on the grounds of incomplete documentation.

“I visited the EPFO (Regional Office, Berhampur) again on June 11 to find out the reason why the application is under process. Where PRO Anil Rath demanded Rs 10,000 (for two employers at the rate of Rs 5,000 per company) to approve the Authorised Signatory Application,” said Dash in his complaint.

After negotiation, the accused agreed to accept a bribe of Rs 10,000 from the complainant, the CBI said.

On receiving a complaint from Dash, CBI, ACB, Bhubaneswar verified it on June 12.

The verification report which confirmed the demand of bribe said, “The complaint and its subsequent verification report, prima facie, disclose commission of cognizable offence punishable under section 61(2) of Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita read with section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (as amended in 2018), on the part of Anil Rath.”

The report also raised suspicion about the involvement of other officials in the alleged demand of a bribe.

“During verification of the complaint, Anil Rath is talking about some other officer of EPFO by addressing him as ‘Sir’. As the identity of that person has not been established during the verification, hence, his role will be looked into during the investigation,” said the report.

Patna, June 14: In a breakthrough, Patna Police on Saturday morning arrested notorious criminal Angesh Kumar following an encounter in the Khusrupur area on the outskirts of the city.

According to Senior Superintendent of Police Avakash Kumar, the arrest was the result of a well-planned operation based on specific intelligence. Angesh, wanted in over 18 criminal cases including attempt to murder, dacoity, arms possession, and loot, had been hiding in a village under the jurisdiction of Khusrupur police station.

“Acting on a tip-off, a special team led by the Khusrupur SHO raided the location early morning. While in custody, the accused tried to escape by attacking the police and opened fire using a concealed weapon. Our team retaliated swiftly and overpowered him,” SSP Kumar said.

During the exchange, Angesh sustained a gunshot wound to his leg. He was immediately taken into custody and admitted to a hospital. Police sources confirmed his injuries were minor, and he remains under medical supervision.

Police officials said that during preliminary interrogation, Angesh confessed to his involvement in more than a dozen serious criminal cases across Patna and neighbouring districts. He also revealed details about his possession of illegal firearms and previously looted items.

Following his confession, the police have launched search operations to recover the stolen property and weapons used in his crimes. A team from the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) has also reached the site to collect evidence, including spent cartridges and ballistic traces.

A fresh FIR has been lodged against Angesh under multiple sections, including attempt to murder, use of firearms in public, and violation of the Arms Act.

“This arrest is a significant step in our ongoing crackdown on organized crime and repeat offenders. Such operations will continue to maintain public safety and deter criminal activities,” the SSP added.

This comes a day after another notorious criminal was arrested in Vaishali following a similar police operation.