Former MP who hijacked flight with toy gun to free Indira Gandhi dies

Former Congress MP Bholanath Pandey, who along with another man hijacked a plane with toy guns in 1978, demanded the release of Indira Gandhi, a party leader said here , thus making headlines.

Ballia Congress district president Umashankar Pathak said Pandey (71) had been ill for a long time and died at his home in Lucknow.

“The news of the death of former MP and senior Congress leader Bhola Pandey is extremely sad. Ji Pandey's contribution to developing the region and strengthening the party will be unforgettable. We pray for the peace of his soul, Praying for strength to his family, well-wishers and supporters.

“Hearing this sad news, state president Ajay Rai has written to Pandey's family and expressed his condolences on behalf of the Congress family,” the UP Congress said in Hindi on X.

Pathak said, “Pandey had hijacked an Air India plane in 1978 to protest against the arrest of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. He came into limelight across the country thereafter. There were reports at the time that Two men hijacked Air India Flight 410 with a toy gun and a ball. They asked the pilot to fly to Nepal, but they refused due to fuel shortage when the hijackers allowed the back door to be opened. , several passengers escaped.

The case against the pair was later dropped. Pathak said that Pandey was born on October 25, 1953 in Moonchapura village in Bairiya area of ​​the district. He became Doaba (now Bairiya) twice from 1980 to 1985 and from 1989 to 1991. Member of Parliament for a parliamentary constituency.

Pandey, who is close to the Gandhi family, had contested elections from the Sarunpur Lok Sabha seat on a Congress ticket several times but failed to win.

Pandey is survived by four sons and two daughters.

(This report has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from associated news agency – PTI)