Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Saturday deplored the frisking of former president A P J Abdul Kalam by the personnel of an American airline and said all courtesies needed to be extended to him.
"This should not happen. Kalam is a highly respected and honoured citizen of our country," Singh told reporters in New Delhi when asked to comment on the frisking of the former president by the staff of Continental Airlines at Delhi Airport on April 21.
Singh said Kalam is entitled to all courtesies that are extended to the Heads and former Heads of State and "any infringement (of that) is something which is deplorable."
To a question, he said Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel is already looking into the issue.
Continental Airlines had apologised for the incident. Its senior officials yesterday met Civil Aviation Secretary M M Nambiar to present their version of the incident.
