A passenger on an IndiGo flight was apprehended for assaulting a pilot during an announcement about a delay in takeoff at Delhi airport, as per police reports on Monday.
The incident, occurring on a flight bound for Goa on Sunday, was captured in a purported video circulating on social media. In the footage, Sahil Katariya can be seen striking the pilot during the announcement. The flight eventually departed from Delhi at 6 pm after a delay exceeding 10 hours, as confirmed by the flight tracking website flightradar24.
The incident unfolded amid dense fog affecting operations at Delhi airport, leading to numerous diversions, cancellations, and delays. Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia condemned unruly passenger behavior, asserting that it would be strongly addressed within existing legal frameworks. Scindia also announced that the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) would issue a standard operating procedure (SOP) for airlines to enhance communication and passenger facilitation during weather-related disruptions.
IndiGo, in a statement, revealed that a passenger assaulted the co-pilot, and the matter has been referred to an independent internal committee for potential inclusion in the "no-fly list."
Video footage shows other crew members reprimanding Katariya, who justified his actions by citing the prolonged wait in the plane. In another clip, security personnel escort Katariya off the aircraft as he apologizes for his conduct. Subsequently, he was taken to a police station and later arrested.
The police confirmed that a complaint was filed by the co-pilot and security personnel, accusing Katariya of assaulting and misbehaving with them. The passenger was reportedly agitated due to the significant delay of the flight. Charges have been filed under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and Aircraft Rules.
IndiGo stated that the passenger had been declared unruly and handed over to local law enforcement for further action, including potential placement on the 'no-fly list.' Scindia, in a social media post, emphasized that incidents of unruly behavior during weather-related disruptions were unacceptable and would be dealt with sternly within the existing legal framework.
(With Agency Inputs)
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