What Happened to the Aero-Engine Turbine Discs in Sunabeda? Police Investigation Underway!

Police Seize Aero-Engine Turbine Discs in Sunabeda

In a significant operation on Sunday, authorities in Sunabeda apprehended a pickup truck carrying 12 aero-engine turbine discs and detained its driver in Koraput district. The action was initiated following a complaint from Vinod Kumar Bhatt, a deputy manager at Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), who reported that the vehicle was transporting valuable components belonging to HAL's Sunabeda facility.

Upon receiving the alert, Sunabeda's Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Sumitra Jena coordinated with Semiliguda police to intercept the vehicle on the highway as it was en route to Visakhapatnam. The police successfully recovered the turbine discs and took custody of the vehicle and its owner, transferring them to Sunabeda police for further investigation.

The driver, however, managed to flee the scene. Initial inquiries indicated that the vehicle, which was marked 'Press' on its windshield, was typically used for delivering English and Telugu newspapers to Sunabeda. Investigators noted that the truck had not entered HAL's secure premises and was loaded near the Ganga Maa Temple in Semiliguda.

This incident has raised serious concerns regarding security protocols at HAL, prompting employees to demand a thorough investigation. Sunabeda police have filed a case (113/25) and are questioning a scrap dealer from Vizianagaram, suspected of purchasing the engine parts. Earlier this month, two trucks were fined by the transport department for attempting to transport aero engines without the necessary documentation.