Katigorah Passenger Slaps Man Having Panic Attack on IndiGo Flight
Airlines hands over accused to security; video of incident sparks outrage and calls for action
A disturbing video has surfaced showing a man slapping a fellow passenger onboard a Mumbai–Kolkata IndiGo flight, reportedly because the latter was experiencing anxiety during the flight. The incident has sparked public outrage and triggered calls for stringent action.
The altercation occurred aboard an Airbus A321 aircraft that departed from Mumbai at 2:45 AM. According to reports, the assaulted passenger was suffering from a panic attack mid-air when another traveler, seated nearby, suddenly slapped him.
In the viral video, IndiGo cabin crew can be seen assisting the anxious passenger when another man unexpectedly steps in and slaps him across the face. A crew member immediately intervenes, urging, “Sir, mat karo, mat karo…” (Sir, please don’t do this), while another visibly shocked passenger questions the aggressor:
“Haath kyu uthaya… haath kyu uthaya… problem sab ko ho raha hai… haath nahi uthana chahiye tha… you don’t have the right to hit anybody, do you understand…”
(Why did you raise your hand… everyone is facing problems… you shouldn’t have raised your hand… you don’t have the right to hit anyone).
The slapped passenger later explained to the crew that he was experiencing a panic attack and requested water. He appeared visibly shaken but did not retaliate.
Following intense criticism online, IndiGo Airlines issued a statement condemning the act: “We are aware of an incident involving a physical altercation on board one of our flights. Such unruly behaviour is completely unacceptable, and we strongly condemn any actions that compromise the safety and dignity of our passengers and crew.”
The airline said its crew acted according to established Standard Operating Procedures and that the assailant was identified as unruly and handed over to security authorities upon arrival in Kolkata. “All appropriate regulatory agencies have been duly informed, in line with protocol. We remain committed to maintaining a safe and respectful environment on all our flights,” the statement added.
Aviation authorities are expected to initiate a formal inquiry. The incident has reignited the conversation around mental health awareness in public spaces, particularly on flights, where anxiety-related episodes are not uncommon.
