Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel on Tuesday said that the US's Continental Airlines had been issued a showcause notice to explain frisking of former President A P J Abdul Kalam in violation of guidelines.

A few days ago, in a breach of protocol at the Indira Gandhi International Airport, former President APJ Abdul Kalam was frisked by the ground security staff of Continental Airlines apparently at the insistence of their American boss.

According to protocol, Presidents and former Presidents are on the VIP list and exempt from security checks - let alone frisking.

The diplomatic protocol breach began during the first security checking itself when Kalam, like others, was asked to put his mobile, wallet, other items and his handbag in the basket for the X- ray scanner.

The former president who on his way to Newark did not object to the security check.