JHARSUGUDA, ODISHA – The director of Veer Surendra Sai Airport is under formal investigation following accusations that he used casteist slurs and physically assaulted a junior colleague. The incident has sparked a significant VSS Airport controversy, leading to a police complaint and an internal probe by the Airports Authority of India (AAI), the national body that manages most of the country’s civil aviation infrastructure.
VSS Airport in Controversy
| Key Aspect | Detail |
| The Accusation | Director allegedly used caste-based slurs and physically assaulted a junior executive. The Times of India |
| Accused Official | Kishore Kumar Senapati, Director, VSS Airport, Jharsuguda. |
| Legal Action | A First Information Report (FIR) has been filed against the director. |
| Charges Invoked | The FIR includes sections of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. The New Indian Express |
| Official Response | The AAI has initiated a high-level internal investigation into the matter. |
The Formal Complaint and Police Action
The allegations against Director Kishore Kumar Senapati came to public attention after a junior executive in the fire services department, Gobinda Mahananda, filed a formal police complaint. According to the First Information Report (FIR) registered at the Jharsuguda Town Police Station, the incident occurred on July 24, 2024.
Mahananda alleges that during a workplace interaction, Senapati verbally abused him with slurs referencing his caste before physically assaulting him. Following the complaint, police registered a case under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code and, critically, the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act of 1989.
“We have registered a case based on the complaint received and have started our investigation,” a senior police official in Jharsuguda told local media outlets. “Statements are being recorded, and we will proceed according to the law.” The invocation of the SC/ST Act makes the casteist slur allegations particularly serious, as the law includes provisions for stringent punishment and limits the possibility of anticipatory bail for the accused.
The SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act: Why It Matters
The SC/ST Act is a crucial piece of Indian legislation designed to prevent crimes and atrocities against members of marginalized Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. For a global audience, it’s important to understand that this law criminalizes specific offenses, including humiliating or intimidating a member of these communities in a public space. An accusation under this act is treated with high priority by law enforcement due to the history of caste-based discrimination in the country.
Official Response to the VSS Airport Controversy
In response to the escalating situation, the Airports Authority of India has taken formal notice of the complaint. The AAI, which operates the Jharsuguda airport, confirmed that it has launched an internal inquiry separate from the police investigation.
“AAI has constituted a high-level committee to investigate the allegations,” an official statement noted. “We have a zero-tolerance policy towards any form of discrimination or workplace misconduct. Appropriate action will be taken based on the committee’s findings.” Sources within the AAI, speaking anonymously to reporters, indicated the investigation will be swift. As of this report, Director Senapati has not issued a public statement, and attempts by news organizations to reach him for comment have been unsuccessful.
The airport director assault allegations have also drawn condemnation from various employee unions and civil society groups, who have called for a fair and transparent investigation to ensure justice and workplace safety.
Tusura Airstrip in Odisha’s Balangir District Remains Grounded Amid Investment Push
Background on VSS Airport
Veer Surendra Sai Airport is a key domestic airport in western Odisha, playing a vital role in regional connectivity. Inaugurated in 2019, it was developed under the government’s UDAN scheme, designed to make air travel more affordable and accessible to smaller cities. The airport serves as a critical link for business and tourism in a region rich in mineral resources and industrial activity. This controversy places a major regional transportation hub under an unwelcome spotlight.
The investigation is ongoing. The findings of the police inquiry and the AAI’s internal committee will be critical in determining the facts of the case and the subsequent actions against the accused director. The outcome will be closely watched as a test of institutional accountability in addressing serious allegations of workplace misconduct and caste-based discrimination.
