from agency reports (MB)
New Delhi, Jul 28: Police interrogation has revealed that the three youth who breached the high-security zone around the prime minister's residence on Thursday night on the pretext of meeting PM are Yogita Khatwal and Veena Chaudhary, both airhostesses with Air Sahara, and Imran.
During initial enquiry, the girl driving the car did admit to the media that her name was Yogita and she worked for Air Sahara. It has intrigued the security agencies as what made these two Jaipur girls embark upon a misadventure of this kind in the national capital, driving a sleek Hyundai Sonata
Yogita Khatwal at the wheel, speaking to a TV channel
Since Yogita was driving, she is thought to be well-versed in the geography of Delhi. What is more surprising is that everyone, the media and the police are concentrating their inquiry only on the two girls and nothing is being mentioned about the boy, Imran, and his antecedents, nor about the ownereship of the Delhi-registered car.
It is being rumoured that he could be hailing from a high-profile family and the matter is being played on a low-key. Since they were suspected to be under the influence of liquor, they were sent to the AIIMS for alcohol test, the result of which is not known.
Girls sacked
On the other hand the Sahara airlines, speaking to a TV channel on Friday morning, said that the two airhostesses, Yogita and Veena, had joined the airline only a few months ago and they were already under suspesion for misdemeanour while at work. After the security lapse episode, they have been sacked
NDTV report:
Easy entry
Media crews were anxiously waiting for some news from that meeting when suddenly a black Hyundai sonata was seen driving in upto what's called the alighting point for VVIPs.
The car entered from the gate from where anyone without appointment after dusk is not allowed.
After a brief conversation with SPG personnel, at the second barrier, suddenly the car turned back.
It had unusual visitors: two girls accompanied by a man on their way out, blowing kisses and telling the waiting cameras why they were in this tight security zone.
The NDTV crew chased them and caught up with them barely four km away from the PM's house where they admitted that it was all one big joke.
"It was a joke. The security man did not stop me," said Yogita, air hostess.
It might well have been an innocent prank but a risky one. The three of them had managed to breach the security of the most zealously protected man in the country if not posed a threat to the PM.
Curiously, the PMO insisted that it was not a security breach.
"There was no security breach. People can come upto the reception area saying they have an appointment. All those who have genuine appointments are allowed inside the reception and others are turned away," said Sanjaya Baru, Prime Minister's Media Advisor.
Finally intercepted
However, what's more alarming is that they managed to leave the scene just as easily as they had come in.
They were finally intercepted near the INA market in South Delhi, quite a distance from the Prime Minister's residence.
All three of them have since been detained at the Chanakyapuri police station and have been jointly questioned by the police and intelligence agencies.
What the police are now trying to find out is if they were under the influence of any alcohol or drugs and how they managed to get past the first gate with such ease and why did the SPG personnel let them in?
"We are from Jaipur. My friend is from Jaipur. We are with the Sahara airlines," said Yogita.
The airline the two girls claimed to be working with has already issued a statement saying the process had been initiated to terminate their services.
Both were recent recruits and had apparently been grounded for the last two months on charges of indiscipline and absenteeism.
Regardless of what happens with these three, for the security setup it was a scare. The SPG, on its part, is silent.
Unlike the past when vehicles have strayed into PM's route, this time around, a vehicle entered the PM residence, a cheeky dare casting a shadow over heightened security perception following the Mumbai blasts.
Earlier reports: