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Image from a video of the assault by the passenger and after he was taken off the plane.© Twitter
Since Sunday evening, a video of a passenger slapping a pilot due to flight delay has gone viral. The video was taken in an IndiGo Delhi-Goa flight where a frustrated passenger can be seen resorting to physical violence aboard the Airbus A20N, which was parked at the Indira Gandhi International Airport for over 10 hours. The incident was filmed by another passenger who was recording the captain announcing a further delay in departure.
The angry passenger – identified as Sahil Kataria – ran up to the Anup Kumar, the flight’s co-captain, and assaulted him, leaping across a food service trolley that was supposed to be a barrier between Mr Kumar and the passengers, to hit him at least once before he was dragged off by a fellow passenger.
Former Indian cricket team player Irfan Pathan, member of 2007 T20 World Cup and 2013 Champions Trophy-winning teams, was unhappy with the unruly behaviour of the passenger.
“Just saw a video of a passenger hitting a pilot of a commercial aircraft. Guys please try and understand we all get frustrated with delayed flights, but this approach is strictly NO NO! As a regular traveller I have been part of the delays too which needs to be adress for everyone’s comfort. Also, there are certain weather delays are for the passenger’s safety which we all travelers need to understand. Stay away from raising hands towards air crew or pilot. They are serving us regularly. Respect them,” Irfan Pathan wrote in a post on X.
The disturbing video of the assault – widely shared online – also shows IndiGo crew rushing to help Mr Kumar, and members of the cabin crew hysterically remonstrating with Mr Kataria, telling him (in Hindi), “You can’t do this… you can’t do this!”. To this he responds, “Why can’t I do this? Why can’t I?”
Mr Kataria then shouted, “Chalana is to drive, not to open the gate… (If you’re going to fly, then fly… otherwise open the gate).” Another person can be heard, “We have been stuck here for hours.”
It is unclear how long the passengers had been kept inside the plane.
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