Any more fake videos and face legal action, Army warns ‘joyride’ Joby

Thiruvananthapuram: Chengannur native Joby Joy, who was 'rescued' by an Air Force helicopter on Sunday afternoon, may have to face legal action over his 'joyride.' The Air Force had said that the minimum loss caused by Joby's act would come to around Rs 1 lakh.

However, Joby defended himself, saying that he entered the helicopter after officers asked him to do so.

On Wednesday he posted on his Facebook wall that he thought the copter had picked him up so that he could assist the forces in relief work.

He said that after his photograph appeared in the social media life has become a hell. At a time when he has lost everything, such insinuations were unbearable, he added.

Joby has been giving clarifications through several TV channels too. But the Army has come out against Joby, with defence ministry spokesperson Dhanya Sanal giving an account of what had happened on Facebook.

“Air Force's Mi17V5 helicopter was deployed for rescue operations at Chengannur on Sunday afternoon. There were reporters too along with the Army personnel inside the chopper. Usually, when it reaches an affected area, the helicopter flies low and the personnel ask the affected their requirements using sign language. If the requirement is for food, food packets are dropped from the chopper.”

“They are also asked if they want to come along, that too in sign language. Only if they get a positive response does a commando come down for rescue. Everybody in flood-affected areas understood the sign language for 'Do you need food?' and 'Do you want to come along?' except the 28-year-old Joby Joy," she wrote.

"If he tries to bring out more fake videos or spread lies, Joby will have to explain why he obstructed the Air Force from carrying out its duty and will have to face legal action."