A Malayali couple who were travelling by Qatar Airlines have alleged that valuables worth lakhs of rupees have been stolen from their baggage at Nedumbassery airport, Kochi.
A report in Manorama said that the NRI couple from America, identified as business man Chacko Kurien and his wife Elly Kutty, were travelling from Qatar to Kochi and had landed at Nedumbassery airport around 2.30 am on Wednesday.
The couple alleged that they found mobiles and electronic devices among other things missing from their four bags, and that the theft came to their notice after they reached home. They have informed Nedumbassery police and the terminal manager, reports Manorama.
Cochin International Airport (CIAL) has acknowledged the incident, though expressing doubts over the probability of a theft in a terminal with modern security arrangements.
PS Jayan, a CIAL official said, “This incident has been brought to our notice. Our preliminary inference is that the theft must have taken place from a different airport. We have a well-equipped terminal with over 2000 CCTVs and modern surveillance systems installed.”
He added, “On the basis of the complaints we have received from the couple, we have handed over the case to CISF (Central Industrial Security Force).”
Meanwhile Elly Kutty told media, “I am certain that the theft had taken place in Nedumbassery Airport. Our baggage got loaded in Florida and it could not have been opened anywhere else, except Nedumbassery airport.”
Qatar Airways had asked the couple not to lock their baggage. The couple also alleged that the bag belt in the terminal took longer than usual in delivering the baggage after the security check. The couple had informed Qatar Airways about the incident, but the Airways retorted saying the couple should have checked the baggage before leaving the airport, the report said.
13 bottles of perfume, 5 watches, mobile phones, a camera, diabetes detecting kit and ladies bags were stolen from the couple, the report added.
Nedumbassery SI Sony Mathew said, “The couple had come in the morning to report the missing case. We have taken up the missing case seriously and the investigation is underway. Action will be taken soon after checking the CCTV visuals from the airport.”