IndiGo staff manhandles passenger

Days after ace shuttler P V Sindhu complained about rude behaviour by IndiGo employees, the airline has more bad news in store as a video of its staff manhandling a passenger at the Delhi airport tarmac has gone viral.

The incident took place on October 15 when Rajeev Katiyal landed in Delhi airport from Chennai and was waiting for the ferry bus taking passengers to the terminal.

Katiyal got into an argument with a ground staff after which he was prevented from boarding the bus. Katiyal accused one of the employees of pushing him and a scuffle broke out.

The flier was then pinned down by the staff, while one of his colleagues tried to intervene and bring peace. However, the employee dragged Katiyal on the tarmac for about a minute.

IndiGo apologised to the passenger for the incident, saying the staff involved in the incident has been fired. "Incident probed by designated committee. Took action against staff who was main culprit, by immediately terminating his employment," the airline said.

IndiGo president Aditya Ghosh said in a statement, "I acknowledge the unpleasant experience our passenger went through, while engaging with our staff at Delhi airport. I had personally spoken to the passenger and asked for an apology."

"Whatever may have been the provocation our staff was completely out of line and did not follow laid down procedures," he said.

Reacting to the incident, Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju said he has asked for a report from the DGCA, the civil aviation watchdog. "Violence of any sort is deplorable and should result in criminal action," he said.

Minister of State for Civil Aviation Jayant Sinha described the incident as "deplorable and unfortunate". He said passenger safety and security is the topmost priority and the ministry has asked for a detailed report from Indigo by Wednesday.

"We hope that the passenger will file a criminal complaint. This will enable us to take appropriate action," Sinha tweeted.