DMK ex-MP detained at Kovai airport with 5 bullets

The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel, during a routine check, found five live bullets in the baggage belonging to Jayadurai, a former Member of Parliament from DMK. A native of Thoothukudi district, he had come to Coimbatore to meet his relatives. He was then scheduled to return to Chennai by a flight.

The CISF officers seized the bullets as it is an offence to carry arms on flight without prior permission. After he furnished a copy of the licence claiming ownership of the ammunition, the security officers returned the bullets to him. However, Jayadurai wasn’t allowed to take them on the flight. He then handed them over to a relative, who accompanied him. 

On receiving information, the Peelamedu police arrived and held inquiries with Jayadurai to ascertain that the bullets were his own. He was allowed to go after giving in writing about the incident.  

By then, the scheduled flight had left, forcing Jayadurai to take another flight to Chennai a little later. This incident created a flutter for a while at the airport. 

In June, Tamil Nadu BJP functionary GK Selvakumar was detained at the Coimbatore airport for carrying a bullet in his bag. He claimed that he did not notice the ammunition in his baggage, and was let go off as he had a valid licence.

According to rules, an air passenger can carry licenced revolver or pistol and ammunition in checked-in baggage after declaring them and producing valid licence.