PIL seeks CBI probe into Drone Federation's alleged forgery

New Delhi

A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Delhi High Court requesting a CBI probe into the Drone Federation India (DFI) for alleged forgery of government documents. The petition, filed by RTI activist Tej Pratap Singh, claims that DFI forged a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to bypass legal restrictions and rebrand itself as Drone Federation of India. The forged document was reportedly submitted to the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA), misleading the public into thinking the organization had government approval.

The plea also accuses DFI of working with Pioneer Flying Academy to issue unauthorized drone pilot certifications. These certifications were allegedly given to individuals linked to M/s Quidich Innovation Labs, allowing them to operate drones. The issue came to light when the certified pilots used these credentials during the Indian Premier League (IPL) held in Dubai. The Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA) raised concerns about the authenticity of the certifications with the DGCA, but the DGCA has yet to take any action.

The petition further states that DFI has organized events, such as the Bharat Drone Shakti event, where pilots flew drones without valid licenses in restricted zones. The petitioner claims that DFI’s actions undermine the safety and regulation of the drone industry and contribute to corruption in government bodies. The petitioner had previously filed complaints with authorities and protested at Jantar Mantar due to a lack of investigation, receiving assurances that action would be taken.