A woman passenger has alleged misbehaviour by a co-passenger onboard Kolkata-Bagdogra flight and charged that the airline dissuaded her from filing a formal complaint. However, SpiceJet said they promptly intervened to address the situation and further investigation was hindered as the woman passenger did not file a written complaint.
According to reports, the alleged incident happened to the 26-year-old woman passenger while she was travelling along with three of her family members on the Kolkata-Bagdogra SpiceJet flight on January 31. The victim, who was initially seated away from the family was asked to shift to the other side of the aisle in their row so that they could see each other. The victim said she moved to a row where a man was sitting in the middle seat with the window and the aisle seats vacant, Indian Express reported.
The Indian Express quoted the victim as saying, “I thought I could take the aisle seat and the man didn’t object so I sat there. After 15 minutes of take off, I felt I was being poked. I thought there was a space issue so everyone had to adjust the armrest. He even tried to move his hands on my thighs. However, the guy changed his position when the crew came and was trying to cover his penis with his hand. I stood and slapped him.” The woman passenger alleged that despite she explaining the incident, the airline crew showed cold behaviour towards her.
In a statement, SpiceJet said, “On January 31, while SpiceJet flight SG 592 was en route from Kolkata to Bagdogra, an incident occurred involving a female passenger, who alleged inappropriate behaviour by her co-passenger. The cabin crew promptly intervened to address the situation.” On landing, both the passengers were taken to CISF officials by airline’s security staff.
“The female passenger demanded action against the co-passenger. At this, the accused co-passenger tendered an apology in the presence of CISF staff. The female passenger left the airport without filing any written complaint, hindering further investigation by SpiceJet. Throughout the incident, our cabin crew actively assisted the female passenger and ensured her comfort and safety,” it said.
However, the woman passenger said she was discouraged by the airline staff from filing a written complaint. “It is the airline staff who dissuaded me from filing a complaint. In fact, the airport authorities and security people told me to allow him to go after an apology,” she told The Indian Express.
