J&K police DSP slaps airline staff for denying boarding, booked at Delhi airport

Sources said the passenger reached late at the check-in counter also but was given boarding pass. But he was again late at the boarding gate.

On the day the civil aviation ministry implemented stringent guidelines for unruly passengers, including the provision for banning them for life from flying, a Jammu & Kashmir police DSP allegedly slapped an Air Vistara staff for denying him boarding.

The officer reached five minutes before the take-off. The rules mandate that boarding gates are closed 15 minutes before departure. (Hindustan Times)

The officer reached five minutes before the take-off. The rules mandate that boarding gates are closed 15 minutes before departure.

“The DSP was travelling to Jammu by flight no. UK799, which was scheduled to take off at 7:15 pm. He created nuisance at the boarding gate and manhandled a Vistara security staff after he was denied boarding due to late reporting,” said an airport source.

Sources said as the passenger turned aggressive, Vistara staff called Delhi Police and he was taken to the police station.

The airlines has given a written complaint against the police officer. “There was an incident at Delhi airport involving an unruly and abusive, gate no-show passenger. We have reported the matter to all the relevant authorities,” said a Vistara spokesperson.

Delhi airport is a silent airport and announcements related to flights are not made. But if some passenger takes the boarding pass, the airline staff looks for the passenger in the boarding area.

“We have filed a non-cognizable report under section 323 (causing hurt) of Indian Penal Code. Since the injury was not threatening, FIR was not filed but detailed report has been prepared. We will also inform the senior officers of Jammu and Kashmir Police,” said a Delhi Police official.

However, the DSP may face action under the new flying rules.