Indore airport director faces corruption, abuse allegations:Allegedly told officers ‘you come here to stare at girls’; PMO orders investigation

Complaints against Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Airport Director Sunil Maggirwar have triggered a high-level investigation after allegations of corruption, financial irregularities, misuse of position and employee harassment reached the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), the Civil Aviation Ministry and Airports Authority of India (AAI). The controversy escalated after a complaint filed by High Court advocate Manoj Raizada. Following the PMO’s intervention, the AAI reportedly initiated an inquiry into the allegations. AAI team from Delhi conducts two-day probe A high-level AAI team led by GM Civil Prabhu Sarkar arrived in Indore from Delhi on May 4. The team examined airport-related documents for two days and recorded statements from several officials before returning to Delhi. However, no official statement has yet been issued by the PMO regarding the matter. Allegations of abusive behaviour, threats and favouritism The complaint accuses Airport Director Sunil Maggirwar of misbehaving with employees and creating a hostile work environment. According to the complaint, Maggirwar allegedly insulted operational officers during a meeting, saying they came to the airport “not to work, but to ogle at girls” after noticing them wearing suits. He has also been accused of maintaining a dictatorial attitude, abusing employees and repeatedly threatening staff with transfers, which allegedly created tension within the airport administration. HRA misuse and tender irregularities alleged The complaint further alleges financial misconduct, claiming that despite staying in a government guest house, the Director continued to claim House Rent Allowance (HRA), causing losses to the government exchequer. It also alleges collusion with officials in the civil department to approve unnecessary construction work and pressure officials to favour preferred firms during tender processes. Officer allegedly removed over links with MP Another allegation states that a sick officer was relieved from duty because the Director suspected he was close to BJP MP Shankar Lalwani and was allegedly sharing airport-related information with him. The complaint also accuses the Director of allegedly using private security guards from CISF and getting demands fulfilled in violation of rules. Airport PRO dismisses allegations Airport PRO Ramswroop Yadav, speaking on behalf of Sunil Maggirwar, denied all allegations and termed them “baseless and factless”. Maggirwar was transferred to Indore seven months ago from Mumbai Airport, where he served as Joint GM in the communication branch. He has previously served as Director at Shimla and Jalgaon airports.