Luggage Items go Missing, Airline in Trouble

BENGALURU:The alleged theft of wedding anniversary gifts and other items of a passenger has landed Thai Airways International Public Company Limited in a soup.

The customer, Tariq Shariff, a techie working with Honeywell Technology Solutions in city, has filed a complaint with the Cubbon Park police against the Airways and two of its employees, following a six-month long correspondence between the two parties. The two employees are Kananporn Apinonkul, General Manager of Thai Airways, and customer relations official Anitha S.

The incident occurred in February 22 this year while Shariff was flying back from Tokyo to Bengaluru in Thai Airways flight.

He had bought an iPod and a wrist watch for his wife as wedding anniversary presents. He had left his luggage at the baggage counter of Narita International Airport. However, he was shocked when both the items along with some clothes were missing from his luggage at the Kempegowda International Airport.

He immediately informed the Airways personnel in Bengaluru regarding the incident but they allegedly denied responsibility for the same. 

Shariff who continued to demand his belongings from the Airways was subsequently offered `6,000 (100 USD) as a ‘goodwill gesture’ from the company for his losses. The complainant decided to serve a legal notice to the Airways regarding the issue.

To his shock, he received a one-page reply from Kanaporn Apinonkul, General Manager of Thai Airways International Public Limited Company, stating that Thai Airways does not take any responsibility for the theft of the property.

Following the reply, Shariff approached the IVth Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court and filed a private complaint against the Airways alleging criminal breach of trust and criminal misappropriation. Following the same, a police complaint was lodged. Asim Malik, advocate representing Shariff said, “My client had entrusted his check-in baggage to Thai Airways and certain articles were stolen from it. Section 407 of IPC applies to the facts and circumstances of this case.”

The Magistrate has directed Cubbon Park Police to register an FIR against Kananporn Apinonkul, general manager and Anitha S, customer relations employee  for the alleged offence.

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