Watch: IndiGo passenger assaults pilot on Delhi-Goa flight due to delay; apprehended

NEW DELHI: In an unfortunate incident, a passenger on a Sunday IndiGo Airlines flight physically attacked the pilot as he communicated the flight’s delay. A video capturing the incident on the Delhi to Goa flight gained widespread attention on social media the following Monday. In the footage, an irate passenger wearing a yellow hoodie is seen rushing towards the pilot and striking him.

As per sources, the flight experienced delays, with passengers lacking precise information. Co-pilot Anup Kumar attempted to calm the passengers when, unexpectedly, one passenger, identified as Sahil Kataria, assaulted him by throwing a punch. Another passenger, Evgenia Belskaia, captured the entire incident on their mobile phone, and the video has since gained widespread attention.

As the flight attendants attempted to distance the passenger, he started advising the pilot, “Nahi chalana toh mat chala, bol de (If you don’t want to operate the plane, then don’t).” In response, one of the cabin crew members stated, “Sir aap aisa nahi kar sakte (sir, you cannot do this).” Meanwhile, other passengers were visibly stunned and upset, with a man in a blue hoodie seen making an effort to pacify the people towards the end of the video.

As per the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) at Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI), the passenger has been apprehended following a complaint lodged by IndiGo Airlines. The DCP further guaranteed the initiation of suitable legal measures against the accused.

Shortly after the incident occurred, security personnel arrived at the flight, and they removed the accused in question after detaining him. He was subsequently transferred to the custody of the Delhi Police.

“An FIR has been filed against the passenger Sahil Kataria for alleged assault and misbehavior with Co-Pilot Anup Kumar on Flight 6E2175 from Delhi to Goa. The incident occurred amidst delays due to dense fog. Charges include sections 323, 341, and 290 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), along with violations of Aircraft Rules (Section 22),” an official told The New Indian.

Reacting to the clip, numerous people on microblogging site X, advocated for measures against the passenger. Nevertheless, some also highlighted the passenger’s frustration arising from the flight delays.

“Hope the pilot is okay. Cases of pilots getting assaulted are so rare. @DGCAIndia I want that passenger on No Fly List – Forever. Please make the No Fly List a real thing. Please,” one user wrote.

Bollywood actor Ranvir Shorey also reacted to the incident with a GIF that read, “Aa gaya swaad?” which translates to, “Got the taste of your own medicine?”

Reportedly, IndiGo has also established an internal committee to investigate the incident. Allegedly, measures such as the potential addition of passengers to the ‘no-fly list’ are being deliberated.

The occurrence coincides with extensive flight disruptions in North and Central India caused by adverse weather conditions, particularly dense fog. On Sunday, the persistent thick fog persisted for approximately 11 hours in the national capital, leading to prolonged waits for thousands of passengers.