IndiGo airlines have filed a police complaint against a passenger for assaulting its pilot inside the aircraft while the latter was making a delay announcement. A purported video of the incident, which took place Sunday evening, has surfaced on social media.
The incident took place on the IndiGo flight (6E-2175) from Delhi to Goa which was delayed due to fog by several hours. The passenger has been identified as Sahil Kataraia.
According to the DCP of Indira Gandhi International Airport, a complaint has been received. "We received a complaint and are taking appropriate legal action," the official said.
The footage of the incident shows a man, identified later as Kataria, pushing the pilot. The man was reportedly seated in the last row and ran up to the pilot on hearing the delay announcement. The passenger was immediately whisked out of the plane and handed over to the authorities.
The video doing rounds on X elicit mixed response from viewers. "A passenger assaulting an IndiGo captain announcing flight delay. This is so wrong. You may have your grievances, but this is not the right way to put it across," one commented. "And since there are no strong laws in India to prevent this, it will happen again," another commented.
"This person should be booked for assault as well as put on a No Fly List. While @IndiGo6E is in the news for all the wrong reasons and must be taken to task for its shortcomings, but this is totally unacceptable passenger behaviour," wrote another.
However, many users also complainted about IndiGo's alleged lack of professionalism. "Zero management. Zero planning. Extreme high costs. Indigo clowns apparently are not even giving water to stuck passengers.
Fog comes every year. What has been your learning from the past?," another posted.