kolkata

Tensions escalated when the cabin crew accused the passenger—seated at 31D—of being inebriated, chanting the religious slogan “Har Har Mahadev”, and encouraging other flyers to join in. The crew alleged that he concealed a soft-drink bottle, which he promptly consumed when confronted, adding to concerns about his conduct onboard . As a result, the airline declared him "unruly" under aviation protocols and handed him over to security personnel upon landing in Kolkata .

The passenger has offered a markedly different narrative. He insists that the slogan was simply a neutral greeting, uttered without any intent to discriminate; he also denies consuming alcohol during the flight, clarifying that he only had a beer at the Delhi airport before boarding—and possesses a purchase receipt to substantiate his claim . He further alleges mistreatment by the crew during the prolonged delay, citing refusal to provide basic services such as food, and threats when he questioned the situation or recorded videos. According to him, the delay caused personal losses amounting to approximately ₹4.8 lakh. Consequently, he has filed complaints not only with IndiGo and Kolkata’s Bidhannagar Police but also with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), and is considering legal action .

IndiGo, meanwhile, has confirmed it is looking into both complaints. The airline emphasized its zero-tolerance policy towards disorderly conduct and reaffirmed that it followed standard protocols by marking the passenger unruly and coordinating with authorities upon arrival . The flight, initially scheduled for a 7:30 pm departure, finally took off at 10:27 pm and reached Kolkata at 1:09 am .

An ordinary evening flight from Delhi to Kolkata quickly spiraled into a tense showdown when operational delays left passengers stuck for hours on the tarmac. Amid growing restlessness, a cabin crew accused a lawyer-passenger of intoxicated behavior, religious incitement, and evasion, prompting a formal declaration of "unruly" behavior and security intervention upon landing. On the other side, the passenger decries this portrayal, asserting that his chant was benign, he had only consumed alcohol legally before boarding, and that he suffered neglect and intimidation during the delay. With both parties filing complaints—including with key regulatory authorities—the incident now hangs in a protracted legal and reputational dispute that serves as a stark reminder of how quickly calm can devolve in constrained circumstances onboard a flight.