Former Air India woman officer moves Delhi-HC over retirement-benefit suspension
Rohita Jaidka, former woman executive director of Air India, who was accused of stealing a painting by renowned artist Jatin Das, has moved the Delhi HC challenging AI's decision to suspend her post-retirement benefits. Jaidka retired in January 2011 and was undergoing cancer treatment and sought her post-retirement entitlements including medical benefits which were stopped by AI through its August 3, 2017, letter.
Das quoted "indifference, negligence and theft" for painting missing
Jatin Das, a Padma Bhushan awardee, wrote to Air India in June last year claiming that one of his paintings had gone missing and was available in the open market. An FIR was lodged in November last year against Jaidka for allegedly stealing the painting between 2004 and 2009. Das had blamed "indifference, negligence and theft" as reasons for the painting going missing.
Petition says AI has unlawfully suspended her benefits
Jaidka's lawyer Karan Nagrath said she sent a legal notice to the airline and its chairman on April 6, seeking revocation of temporary suspension of her privileges recalling the airline's August 3 order. But there was no response from their side. "The woman's service and dedication was well appreciated by Air India. They have unlawfully suspended her post-retirement benefits," the petition said.
Delhi HC asks AI to convey its fate to Jaidka
Justice Sunil Gaur disposed of the petition directing AI to consider Jaidka's legal notice while treating it as a representation and pass a speaking order within four weeks. The court asked the airline to convey its fate to Jaidka so that she may avail of the remedies as available in law. She was granted anticipatory bail by the Patiala House Court earlier this month.
AI's art collection includes works by Husain, Raza, Gaitonde
The stolen oil painting - titled "Flying Apsara" - was commissioned in 1991 by Air India. AI pegged the value of the painting at Rs. 25 lakh "as per evaluations of an art historian". The airline's most prized collections include works by MF Husain, SH Raza, VS Gaitonde, KA Ara, Anjolie Ela Menon, Arpana Caur, and B Prabha.
