http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1937776.cms
Jewellery stolen after check-in
Saurabh Sinha
[ 30 Aug, 2006 0417hrs ISTTIMES NEWS NETWORK ]
 
 
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NEW DELHI: In yet another incident that shows how vulnerable your baggage remains after you have checked in at the airline counter, the jewellery belonging to a family of defence personnel flying from Delhi to Calicut was stolen from their bags.

After the family complained of theft, the airline discovered that loaders had taken the jewellery out while transporting bags to the aircraft and then sold it to a jeweller in nearby Palam village.

Thanks to good sleuthing, the jewellery was recovered before it was sold off to some unsuspecting buyer. The incident reportedly happened on August 20 when a defence personnel was flying Indian from Delhi to Calicut.

"After reaching their home in Calicut, the family discovered the theft. On Monday morning, the victim reported the loss to us. There had been some complaints earlier too and the baggage handlers provided by a private agency were already under surveillance," said an airline spokesperson.

The airline zeroed in on the handlers who had worked on the Calicut flight luggage and called the police. During interrogation, the handlers broke down and admitted to taking out jewellery while taking the bags to the flight.

"They led the police to a local jeweller in Palam village, where the same was recovered. Three handlers were arrested and one is absconding," the spokesperson said.

While the jewellery may have been recovered, it does raise questions on how such valuable items were allowed in check-in bags.

Airlines say that their liability of luggage for check-in baggage is limited to Rs 450 per kg and advice passengers to take valuables with them on the flight.

Earlier too, there have been instances of passengers losing valuables from their check-in bags.

Airlines point out all baggage handlers and other employees of private agencies working at airports are verified and cleared by security agencies before they get the Bureau for Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) pass for entering the place.

Recently, several instances have been reported when passengers have lost valuables during pre-boarding security checks.

A flier recently kept his mobile on the tray before being x-rayed and found his mobile had been picked up by another passenger.