New Delhi:
A plane carrying several Indian passengers, detained near Paris four days ago due to suspected human trafficking, reportedly left for Mumbai this morning after a judge cleared their departure yesterday. Indian authorities have not confirmed this yet.
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The Nicaragua-bound charter plane has 303 passengers, mostly Indians and at least 11 unaccompanied minors. An anonymous tip-off that they were potential victims of human trafficking led to its grounding at Vatry airport on its arrival from Dubai for refuelling.
The prosecutors had yesterday allowed the Airbus A340 to leave France after questioning the passengers for two days, the local prefecture said, adding that a full approval for their departure was expected today.
The plane has taken off from Vatry, about 150 km from Paris, and is expected to land in Mumbai this afternoon, reported news agency PTI citing sources.
Liliana Bakayoko, lawyer for the Romanian company Legend Airlines, had said earlier that the plane was likely to depart around 10 am (2:30 pm IST). She had said the plane was likely to leave with 200-250 passengers. Those not in police custody and have not applied for asylum are likely to leave, said the report.
French courts have the authority to extend detention of foreign nationals held in the country on arrival. Four judges questioned the passengers yesterday, but cancelled some hearings due to irregularities in the procedure after allowing the plane to leave.
The Indians were likely workers in UAE who were heading for Nicaragua on their way to the US or Canada, news agency AFP had reported quoting a source who had knowledge about the inquiry. They were stopped on the way in Vatry in eastern France. The airport serves mostly budget airlines.
The Paris prosecutor said the action came after an anonymous tip-off that some of the passengers on board the plane were "victims of human trafficking". Two men were detained for questioning by a specialised unit.
The Indian embassy in France had yesterday said they obtained consular access and were assessing the situation. It said it was working with the French government for the welfare of the stranded Indian passengers.
The stranded passengers were provided makeshift beds and access to toilets and showers, besides meals and hot drinks at the Vatry airport, an official said. Reports suggest about four dozen passengers have even sought asylum.
The Legend Airlines lawyer had said the company believed it had done nothing wrong, committed no offence "and is at the disposal of the French authorities". She added that the company "will seek damages from its client because it has suffered significant harm".
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