IndiGo pilot suspended for 3 months for threatening wheelchair-bound senior citizen in flight
New Delhi, Feb 10: Aviation regulator DGCA on Monday suspended an IndiGo captain for three months for "intimidating and threatening" a wheelchair-bound senior citizen in a Chennai-Bengaluru flight on January 13, an official said.
During investigation, it was found that the pilot-in-command "insisted" on an apology letter from the passengers -- the senior citizen and her daughter -- which further delayed the matter, detaining them for approximately 75 minutes after the deboarding began at the Bengaluru airport.
"It was established that the pilot-in-command's attitude towards the wheelchair-bound senior citizen passenger was intimidating, threatening and lacked compassion. The DGCA has suspended his license for a period of three months," the official added.
Independent journalist Supriya Unni Nair, who had asked for a wheelchair for her 75-year-old mother after landing in Bengaluru on January 13 night, had narrated the incident in multiple tweets.
According to Nair's tweets, the cabin crew stated that they do not have access to wheelchair assistance.
Seeing the commotion on this issue, the pilot-in-command came in between, misbehaving and threatening Nair and her mother with jail, Nair had said.
Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri wrote on Twitter on January 14, "I requested my office to contact IndiGo as soon as I saw the tweet by Ms Supriya Unni Nair about the pilot's behaviour with her & her 75 year old mother in need of wheelchair assistance."
"The airline has informed Ministry of Civil Aviation that the pilot has been off-rostered pending full enquiry," he added.
On Monday, the DGCA official said their investigation found that the captain threatened Nair and her mother by saying they will be handed over to the CISF and a police case will be registered against them for "unruly behaviour".
"The pilot exhibited aggression towards the lady passengers in his dealings while disregarding the fact that the elderly passenger required wheelchair assistance," the official added.
The investigation found that the captain's actions led to "avoidable detention" of a wheelchair-bound passenger.
"He exhibited lack of ability in managing threat and error situation, especially when he was to operate another commercial flight after a short duration," the official added.
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Five held in double murder case in K'taka, mastermind shot at during escape bid
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Vijayapura (PTI): Five people were arrested on Tuesday in connection with a double murder case, including the alleged mastermind Akshay Juljule, who was shot in the leg while allegedly trying to escape from police custody.
Speaking to reporters, Superintendent of Police Laxman Nimbargi said, “When the police went to arrest, Juljule tried to flee the spot in a bike. The police first fired in the air, and when the accused attempted to flee, he was shot in the leg.”
Juljule, against whom three cases have been registered, has been taken to the hospital for treatment.
Two policemen were also injured during the operation and admitted to the hospital.
The double murder occurred on Sunday in Kannur village of Vijayapura taluk. The victims were identified as Sagar Belundagi (25) and Isahak Khureshi (24). They were allegedly stoned to death by a group of assailants.
According to police, the killings were an act of revenge.
SP Nimbargi said, “The accused murdered Sagar and Isahak due to this old enmity.”
Those arrested have been identified as Muthana Gowda, Santosh, Sanjay, Bharat, and Akshay. A case of murder has been registered at the Vijayapura Rural Police Station.
Further investigation is underway.
