Army Man Assaults Spicejet Staff For Excess Baggage
SpiceJet on Sunday said the officer, who was to board a flight to Delhi from Srinagar, assaulted four of its ground staffers at the Srinagar airport during which one suffered a spinal fracture, another jaw fracture and third one a bleeding nose
New Delhi: An Army officer was charged for alleged “murderous assault” on four Spicejet ground staff at Srinagar airport last week following an argument over excess cabin baggage being carried by the Army man. SpiceJet on Sunday said the officer, who was to board a flight to Delhi from Srinagar, assaulted four of its ground staffers at the Srinagar airport during which one suffered a spinal fracture, another jaw fracture and third one a bleeding nose.
The incident took place on July 26 when at Srinagar airport. The Army officer tried carrying two pieces of cabin baggage weighing a total of 16 kg, more than double the permitted limit of 7 kg. He was asked to pay for the additional weight which he refused and walked into the aerobridge without completing the boarding process, violating security protocols.
An FIR has been registered with the Srinagar Police against Lt Col Ritesh Kumar Singh, posted at High Altitude Warfare School in Gulmarg. One Spicejet employee is also learnt to have been booked but no arrests have been made so far.
The airline has initiated the process to place the passenger on the no-fly list in accordance with civil aviation regulations. As per the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) rules, this incident falls under Level 2 (physical abuse) and potentially Level 3 (life-threatening behaviour), resulting in a ban from flying for up to six months (if Level 2) and two years or more without limit (if Level 3).
The Army has taken cognisance of the incident and a probe has been ordered into the matter. “The matter involving an alleged altercation between an Army personnel and airline staff at Srinagar Airport on July 26 has come to the notice of the Indian Army. The Indian Army is committed to uphold highest standards of discipline and conduct, and take all allegations seriously. Full cooperation is being extended to the authorities in investigating the case,” Indian Army said in a statement on Sunday.
SpiceJet said the injured employees were rushed to hospital and remain under treatment for the grievous injuries sustained.
