Vadra’s name dropped from no-frisking list at airports

Vibha Sharma

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, September 16

The Union Government has dropped the name of Congress president Sonia Gandhi’s son-in-law Robert Vadra from the no-frisking list at civil airports.

Now, Vadra will no longer be exempted from pat downs at domestic airports, a privilege he enjoyed so far by virtue of being married to Priyanka Gandhi. He will have to go through the normal security drill at airports like any other common air passenger.

Minister of State for Aviation Mahesh Sharma said the order was issued after Vadra himself asked to be removed from the list. “Robert Vadra was given the facility as he is associated with a particular family and used to travel with Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi who are SPG protectees. At times, the facility was misused,” Sharma said.

Welcoming the decision, Vadra posted on his Facebook account: “I appreciate that my name will not appear in the VVIP list anymore. I hope this is a dead issue now and will not be used against me. My best wishes.”

The decision comes two days after Vadra made light of the Modi government for not removing his name from the no-frisking list. His post on September 14 said: “Plans to visit every terminal in the airports in India and add a white tape on my name from the VVIP list and my signature on top!! So look out”.