A revolver and 30 live bullets were recovered from the baggage of noted industrialist Nusli Wadia last week at the Dubai airport where he flew by an Air-India flight from Mumbai, official sources said on Friday.

At a time when high alert had been sounded at all airports across the country, security personnel at the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport in Mumbai failed to detect the firearm. The lapse that occurred on January 13 prompted Air-India to suspend two of its ground staff and launch an inquiry, the sources said.

The revolver and cartridges were kept in Wadia's check-in baggage and were found when it was being screened at the Dubai Airport. The weapon was confiscated by the Dubai authorities and Wadia, a promoter of budget carrier GoAir and head of Bombay Dyeing, given a receipt after he showed his arms license.

A spokesman for the Wadia Group said the revolver and cartridges were inadvertently packed in the baggage by his domestic help, who delivered it to him at the airport.

As per rules, it is mandatory for passengers travelling on international routes with arms to get permission from the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security in India and its counterpart agency in the destination country.

The sources said Wadia had not informed the authorities. The industrialist gave a statement to the Dubai authorities and showed his arms license.

Reacting to the incident, Wadia is reported to have said it was 'a mistake, but no more than a storm in a tea cup.'

Wadia is also reported to have said he was not detained.

The Central Industrial Security Force, responsible for security at airports, has not yet filed a complaint with Mumbai Police on the incident, the sources said.