New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Wednesday expressed its dissatisfaction with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) while issuing a notice on a public interest litigation (PIL) against the Drone Federation of India (DFI) over allegations of forgery.
A bench led by Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyay and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela remarked that the DGCA should have filed a complaint and registered an FIR regarding the alleged forgery. The court directed DGCA, MCA, and other authorities to submit separate reports on the status of the investigation. A detailed hearing has been scheduled for March 19, 2025.
The bench also questioned how a private entity could protect itself while presenting itself as a government organization.
Allegations of Forgery and Misrepresentation
During the hearing, government representatives stated that they were seriously examining the complaint. The MCA had doubts about the authenticity of a No Objection Certificate (NOC) submitted by DFI and referred the matter to the DGCA. This led to an inspection and subsequent investigation.
Senior Advocate PV Dinesh, representing petitioner and RTI activist Tej Pratap Singh, alleged that DFI forged an NOC to bypass legal regulations and rebrand itself. The fraudulent document was reportedly submitted to the MCA, misleading the public into believing that DFI had official government backing. The petition was filed by Advocate Piyo Harold Jaimon.
Unauthorized Drone Pilot Certifications
The plea further alleged that DFI, in collusion with Pioneer Flying Academy, issued drone pilot certifications to two individuals without approval from the DGCA or the Ministry of Civil Aviation. These certifications were used by individuals associated with M/s Quidich Innovation Labs to operate drones.
The controversy escalated when these certified pilots used their credentials for covering the Indian Premier League (IPL) in Dubai. A senior officer from the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA) reportedly reached out to DGCA for verification of these certifications. However, the DGCA failed to initiate an inquiry or cooperate with the DCAA.
Violations at Bharat Drone Shakti Event
Despite escaping regulatory scrutiny, DFI went on to organize the Bharat Drone Shakti Event at the Air Force Station, Hindan, Uttar Pradesh. During the event, the organization allegedly allowed drone pilots without valid licenses to operate drones in a restricted Red Zone.
According to the petitioner, DFI forged a letter from a regulatory authority to project itself as having government support while avoiding accountability. The plea warned that these allegations pose a serious threat to regulatory safety and security in the drone industry and contribute to corruption within government agencies.
Demand for CBI Investigation
The petition called for a thorough investigation, preferably by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
The petitioner had previously filed complaints with relevant authorities, alleging forgery, misrepresentation, cheating, and criminal conspiracy. However, due to inaction, the petitioner staged a protest at Jantar Mantar. During the protest, DGCA and the Ministry of Civil Aviation assured the petitioner that prompt action would be taken against the alleged illegal activities.
With the Delhi High Court now demanding accountability, all eyes are on the March 19, 2025 hearing to determine the next steps in the case.