Saudi law firm issues notice to Air India Express over 24-hour delay of Dammam-Mangaluru flight
Jeddah/Dammam, April 15, 2025: A Saudi Arabian law firm has served a legal notice to Air India Express over a prolonged delay of Flight IX-886, which was scheduled to fly from Dammam to Saudi law firm issues notice to Air India Express over 24-hour delay of Dammam-Mangaluru flight.
The notice, sent on behalf of the affected passengers, demands accountability and compensation from the airline for the severe inconvenience caused to travelers, many of whom included senior citizens, children, and individuals with medical needs.
The notice was issued by International Justice Law Firm, a reputed legal firm based in Saudi Arabia. It was signed by noted Saudi lawyer and firm partner, Advocate Faten Faiz AlAhmari. The move was facilitated by Dr. & Advocate P.A. Hameed Padubidri, a well-known Indian-origin legal expert and social worker based in the Kingdom, who has played a key role in bringing the issue to legal attention. According to Dr. Hameed, he received multiple complaints from passengers and witnessed the suffering of those stranded, which prompted him to initiate formal legal action.
The flight, IX-886, was originally scheduled to depart from Dammam at 10:10 PM on March 25. However, due to unexplained delays, the passengers were left in limbo for over 24 hours. Several passengers reportedly spent long hours inside the aircraft and at the airport terminal without proper information, accommodation, or basic support from the airline. The ordeal drew widespread criticism, with many expressing frustration over the lack of communication from airline officials.
In the legal notice served to Air India Express, the law firm has accused the airline of negligence and highlighted multiple grievances. These include the unexplained delay, lack of official updates, absence of alternative arrangements such as hotel accommodation or food, and the extended detention of passengers inside the aircraft. The notice emphasized the physical, emotional, and financial toll it took on the passengers, particularly those with medical conditions or accompanying young children.
The notice has formally demanded a written apology from Air India Express to all affected passengers, full compensation for the hardships endured, a detailed explanation for the delay, and a clear assurance that similar lapses will not recur in future operations. The airline has been given a 15-day deadline to respond. If it fails to do so, legal proceedings will be initiated in both Saudi Arabia and India. The lawyers have stated that the airline will be held financially liable for any resulting litigation.
Dr. Hameed Padubidri, who has been vocal about issues faced by Indian expatriates in the Gulf, especially in relation to travel services, said that this incident is just one of many that reflect a broader pattern of negligence by certain airlines operating on Gulf-India routes. Speaking to the media, he remarked, “We expected improved efficiency and passenger care from Air India Express after its acquisition by the Tata Group. However, the continued lapses and negligence—especially on Gulf routes—have deeply frustrated the Indian expatriate community. If the airline fails to respond, we will pursue the matter vigorously in both Saudi and Indian courts to ensure justice for the affected passengers.”
The case has caught the attention of passenger rights advocates and legal experts in both countries. Many believe it could set a precedent for holding airlines accountable for delays and poor treatment of passengers, particularly in the heavily traveled Gulf-India sector.
As of now, Air India Express has not issued any official response to the notice.
@AirIndiaX,the passengers are still stranded inDammamAirport. As of 7:40PM here,they recd bording passes,but remain uncertain about their flight’s status.They includes patients, infants,senior citizens,medical students.Really,it’s inexcusable &ur reps are unresponsive. pic.twitter.com/58s2Wk3adX
— Dr.PAHPadubidri 🇮🇳 (@Abdulha60313772) March 26, 2025
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Bill to regulate deepfakes tabled in Lok Sabha
New Delhi (PTI): A Private Member's Bill seeking a clear legal framework for regulation of deepfakes has been introduced in the Lok Sabha.
The Regulation of Deepfake Bill, introduced by Shiv Sena leader Shrikant Shinde in the House on Friday, aims to protect citizens by mandating prior consent from individuals depicted in deepfake content.
"Misuse of deepfakes for harassment, deception and misinformation has escalated, creating an urgent need for regulatory safeguards," Shinde said.
The Bill also lists penalties for offenders creating or disseminating deepfake content with malicious intent.
"With advancements in artificial intelligence and deep learning, deepfake technology has emerged as a significant tool for media manipulation. While the technology has potential applications in education, entertainment and creative fields, it also poses severe risks when misused, threatening individual privacy, national security and public trust," Shinde said in the statement of objects and reasons in the Bill.
The proposed Bill seeks to establish a clear legal framework to govern the creation, distribution and application of deepfakes in India, said Shinde, a three-term Lok Sabha member from Kalyan.
The Bill also seeks to establish the Deepfake Task Force, a dedicated body to combat national security implications and evaluate the influence of deepfakes on privacy, civic participation, and potential election interference.
The task force will collaborate with academic and private sector institutions to develop technologies that detect manipulated content, thereby promoting credibility in digital media.
The Bill also proposes to establish a fund to support public and private sector initiatives in the detection and deterrence of advanced image manipulation.
A Private Member's Bill is a procedure of Parliament that enables lawmakers, who are not ministers, to draw attention to issues that might not be represented in Government Bills or to highlight the issues and gaps in the existing legal framework that require legislative intervention.
