Air India 'urinating' case: DGCA slaps Rs 30 lakh penalty; airline responds

New Delhi, January 20: The airline watchdog Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has imposed a financial penalty of Rs 30 lakh on Air India over the incident in which a man identified as Shankar Mishra relieved himself on a co-passenger in an inebriated state. The incident happened on an Air India New York-New Delhi flight on November 26 last year.

 

The license of the flight commander (pilot in command) was suspended for three months for failing to discharge his duties. The DGCA also imposed a financial penalty of Rs 3 lakh on Director-in-Flight Services of the Air India.

The allegations levelled against the pilot-in-command include not reporting the accused Shankar Mishra to the police upon the landing in New Delhi and not making alternate arrangements for the senior citizen after her horrific experience, despite seats being vacant in the first-class. The entire cabin crew of the flight was earlier questioned by the Delhi Police.

 

"DGCA issued Show Cause notices to Accountable Manager of Air India, Director in-flight Services of Air India, all the pilots and cabin crew members of that flight as to why enforcement action should not be taken against them for dereliction of their regulatory obligations. The written reply of Air India and the personnel involved were examined," the DGCA statement said.

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Earlier, Air India banned Shankar Mishra, the man accused of urinating on a co-passenger, for fourth months.

In a statement, Air India said that he has already been put on the airline’s “No Fly List”. Air India has shared a copy of the Internal Committee report with the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and will also be intimating other airlines operating in the country.