TN: Chetak chopper crashes, crew safe

Amid delays in the acquisition of its utility choppers, the Indian Navy has wet-leased two Augusta Westland-139 choppers from an Indian civilian chopper operator for carrying out logistics operations.

A Pawan Hans spokesperson said, "The helicopter has taken off from Port Blair with 2 crew members and 5 passengers. All are rescued and are safe. No injuries reported to any of the rescued persons."

Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Abhishek Banerjee on Tuesday accused the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) of not giving clearance to his chopper while he was headed to Rampurhat in Birbhum to address a public meeting arranged by the All India Trinamool Congress.

The Rouse Avenue court on Tuesday imposed bail conditions on accused Christian Michel James. The court modified the condition related to the bail bonds. It is directed that he may be released from custody without the immediate deposit of his passport.

James, a British National, is an accused in the CBI case concerning the Augusta Westland VIP Chopper deal. He is custody since December 4, 2018, after his arrest by the CBI on his extradition from Dubai.