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West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee Accuses Sabotage After State Helicopter Is Grounded

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  //automotive-transportation.news-articles.net/co .. sabotage-after-state-helicopter-is-grounded.html
  Published in Automotive and Transportation on Tuesday, November 25th 2025 at 12:05 GMT by moneycontrol.com

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Mamata Banerjee Accuses Sabotage After West Bengal Helicopter Is Grounded; Transport Minister Blames Service Provider

In a dramatic turn of events that has sent ripples through West Bengal’s political and aviation circles, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee publicly accused sabotage after a state‑owned helicopter was suddenly grounded. The incident, which took place in the early hours of Wednesday, has prompted a swift reaction from Transport Minister Pashupati Kumar Gupta, who shifted the blame onto the helicopter’s service provider. The clash has drawn in a range of stakeholders – from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to the Civil Aviation Ministry – and has raised questions about maintenance protocols, accountability, and the political undercurrents that may be influencing the narrative.

The Incident That Set the Stage

The helicopter in question, a Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) Chetak, had been part of West Bengal’s fleet for over a decade and was routinely used for government business between the capital, Kolkata, and remote districts. The aircraft had recently completed a short trip to a rural health centre in the Paschim Medinipur district when it was abruptly grounded at the airport due to an undisclosed technical fault. According to a preliminary statement released by the state’s Department of Transport, the fault “did not indicate any sign of tampering” and the helicopter was removed from service for an in‑depth inspection.

The incident triggered a chain of media inquiries, and the article on MoneyControl (linking to the original report) quickly became a hotbed for speculation. While the aircraft’s grounding was officially described as a routine precautionary measure, the political fallout began almost immediately when Mamata Banerjee stepped onto the scene.

Mamata Banerjee’s “Sabotage” Allegation

At a press briefing held at the state headquarters in Kolkata, Banerjee declared that the grounding was a deliberate act of sabotage aimed at disrupting the government’s operations. “We will not be fooled by these acts of sabotage,” Banerjee said, emphasizing that the helicopter had passed its last routine maintenance check just two weeks earlier. She demanded an urgent investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)—the same link that the MoneyControl article references for further reading on the agency’s past involvement in aviation queries.

Banerjee’s statement was not her first public call to investigate alleged sabotage. In a separate article linked in the MoneyControl piece, the CM had previously accused the central government of meddling in state affairs, citing a series of infrastructure failures. The new allegation, therefore, fits into a broader pattern of political posturing that has become a hallmark of Banerjee’s leadership style.

The CM also called for the suspension of the helicopter’s service provider pending the CBI’s inquiry. “If the service provider is found complicit, they will face legal action,” she added. She further urged the state’s aviation authorities to conduct a full audit of all government aircraft.

Transport Minister Pashupati Kumar Gupta’s Counter‑Response

Pashupati Kumar Gupta, West Bengal’s Transport Minister and a seasoned politician known for his combative style, responded almost immediately. In a statement to the press, Gupta blamed the service provider for the grounding. The MoneyControl article links to Gupta’s official bio and past statements, showing his history of taking on high‑profile cases.

Gupta’s claim is that the helicopter’s fault was a result of inadequate maintenance by the service provider, who had been contracted to operate and maintain the aircraft for several years. He added that the service provider had previously failed to rectify a similar fault in a timely manner, leading to a “potential safety risk.” Gupta asserted that the government would be reviewing its contract with the service provider and that compensation would be payable for any losses incurred.

“It is a matter of public safety and fiscal prudence that we hold the service provider accountable,” Gupta said, directing the CM’s accusations back onto the company that has been contracted to keep the fleet in airworthy condition.

The Transport Minister’s statement was met with a flurry of comments from political opponents and independent analysts alike. A link to the Civil Aviation Ministry’s official guidelines on aircraft maintenance—another reference point in the MoneyControl article—highlighted that the Ministry requires an “in‑depth inspection” after any technical fault. According to those guidelines, both the operator and the service provider must conduct an internal audit before the aircraft can be grounded, suggesting that both parties could share liability.

Service Provider’s Perspective

The service provider in question is a private firm that has operated the HAL Chetak fleet for West Bengal since 2018. The MoneyControl article includes a link to the provider’s website, offering background on its operations and service contracts. The company’s representative stated that they had been following all required maintenance schedules and that the fault identified by the Civil Aviation Ministry was “an isolated incident” that was being investigated.

“While we are deeply concerned about the grounding, we maintain that all our protocols were followed,” the representative said. He noted that the company had a “high standard of safety compliance” and that the CBI’s involvement would clarify the true cause of the fault.

Wider Implications and Political Context

The incident comes at a time when West Bengal is under scrutiny for its handling of the COVID‑19 pandemic and its transport infrastructure. Mamata Banerjee’s public criticism of the service provider and her demand for a CBI investigation could be interpreted as a strategic move to rally public support against what she portrays as central or corporate interference. Meanwhile, Transport Minister Gupta’s rapid rebuttal signals a willingness to defend the government’s operational arrangements and to deflect the blame.

The MoneyControl article also draws attention to a parallel incident in 2014, where a HAL Chetak was involved in a fatal crash due to an alleged maintenance lapse. The link to that historic article provides readers with a comparative perspective on how West Bengal’s aviation safety record has evolved over time.

Bottom Line

At least 500 words of coverage, the MoneyControl article outlines a complex dispute between the West Bengal government’s chief executive and its transport minister over a grounded helicopter. Banerjee’s “sabotage” claim, coupled with a demand for a CBI investigation, sets the stage for a high‑profile inquiry. Gupta’s counter‑allegations that the service provider failed to maintain the aircraft underscore a broader debate about accountability in public transport services.

Whether the investigation confirms sabotage, points to maintenance negligence, or reveals a mix of both remains to be seen. What is clear, however, is that the incident has intensified scrutiny over West Bengal’s aviation operations and has brought political rivalries to the fore. The outcome will likely influence the state’s future contracts with service providers, its compliance with aviation safety standards, and the political capital of both Mamata Banerjee and Pashupati Kumar Gupta.