Serving beef proves too costly for airline

A city consumer court slaps a fine of Rs 50,000 on Japan Airlines for hurting a Hindu's religious sentiments, reports Harish V Nair.

A city consumer court has slapped a fine of Rs 50,000 on Japan Airlines for hurting the religious sentiment of a Hindu by serving him beef on a flight.

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GL Aggarwal had taken a flight to San Francisco from Delhi on September 13, 2004. He had wanted a vegetarian meal and had also confirmed its availability twice with the airlines staff. But as he began eating, Aggarwal realised, and on enquiry told by an airhostess, that he had been served beef because what he had asked for was “out of stock”. After his return, Aggarwal dragged the airlines to the Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum.

“The airline should have ensured that no non-veg food was given to the complainant. When one who has never taken non-veg, suddenly finds beef in his food, he will naturally be taken aback,” the court said in its order on September 24.