An unsettling incident aboard an IndiGo flight has stirred national attention after a passenger alleged that he was physically assaulted by a crew member mid-air following a panic episode. The incident reportedly took place on an IndiGo flight from Delhi to Mumbai earlier this week. The passenger, identified as 24-year-old Mohammad Arif from Uttar Pradesh, said he was slapped four times by an airline staff member after he greeted him with “Salam” while in a visibly anxious state.
The ordeal, shared via a viral video and later in a detailed media interaction, has triggered outrage across social media platforms and raised critical questions over airline crew conduct, mental health protocols for air travel, and the basic rights of passengers.
The Incident: A Panic Attack Turns Violent
Mohammad Arif, a textile merchant from Kanpur, was flying for the first time. He claimed to have experienced a panic attack shortly after takeoff. Feeling disoriented and scared, he reportedly got up from his seat and moved towards the front of the cabin, asking the crew for help. According to Arif, he greeted the male flight attendant with “Salam” — a customary Islamic greeting — before trying to explain his situation.
“I said ‘Salam bhai, I don’t feel well, please help me.’ But instead of helping, he slapped me. Not once, but four times. I was humiliated in front of everyone,” Arif said in a teary-eyed video statement.
Several passengers reportedly witnessed the confrontation. While IndiGo’s official statement claimed the crew “acted to ensure safety and maintain calm onboard,” Arif and his family have demanded a formal apology and disciplinary action against the staff involved.
Sequence of Events on Board IndiGo Flight 6E-XXX
| Time | Event Description |
|---|---|
| 8:45 AM | IndiGo flight 6E-XXX departs from Delhi Terminal 2 |
| 9:05 AM | Passenger Mohammad Arif begins to exhibit signs of anxiety |
| 9:10 AM | Arif approaches crew near front galley, reportedly says “Salam” |
| 9:11 AM | Verbal altercation begins, physical assault alleged to occur |
| 9:15 AM | Senior crew intervenes, Arif asked to sit with oxygen mask |
| 9:30 AM | Flight continues normally, no emergency landing initiated |
| 10:05 AM | Flight lands in Mumbai, CISF notified |
| 10:20 AM | Arif escorted for basic medical check, no FIR registered on spot |
Airline’s Version and Passenger Counterclaims
In its preliminary response, IndiGo defended the crew, stating that the passenger was “causing disturbance and trying to access restricted areas.” The airline claimed the crew “acted as per safety protocols” and ensured that the flight continued without disruption.
However, Arif rejected these claims, stating:
“I never tried to enter the cockpit or threaten anyone. I was scared. I just asked for help. The way I was treated made me feel like a criminal.”
His family has filed a formal complaint with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and approached the Ministry of Civil Aviation, seeking an independent inquiry.
Air Travel & Mental Health: A Glaring Gap?
Experts believe the incident underscores a critical blind spot in Indian aviation — the absence of clear mental health protocols for passengers. Flying for the first time, dealing with cabin pressure, anxiety, or even trauma responses can cause erratic behavior in some travelers.
“The job of a flight attendant isn’t just to serve meals — it’s to recognize distress, not react with aggression,” said aviation psychologist Dr. Neelam Bhargava.
She added that anxiety episodes are common and must be met with calm, trauma-informed responses rather than physical retaliation.
Similar Incidents in Recent Years
| Year | Airline | Incident Description | Action Taken |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | SpiceJet | Passenger with epilepsy scolded during seizure | Cabin crew suspended |
| 2023 | Air India | Elderly man shouted at for vomiting mid-air | Crew training updated |
| 2024 | Vistara | Teenager with autism misunderstood, detained | Public apology issued |
| 2025 | IndiGo | Mohammad Arif slapped during panic attack | Complaint under DGCA review |
Political and Public Response
The incident has sparked strong reactions across political parties and civil society. Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra posted on social media, calling for accountability:
“This is unacceptable. Airlines must train staff to handle distressed passengers with empathy. Assault is never the answer.”
Prominent journalist Rana Ayyub also weighed in, saying:
“Imagine being a first-time flyer, disoriented, scared, and then slapped. This reeks of bias and a total lack of human decency.”
Hashtags like #IndiGoAssault, #FlyerRights, and #JusticeForArif have trended across social platforms, with netizens demanding suspension of the involved crew member and a public apology from the airline.
Public Sentiment on Social Media
A poll conducted online showed strong disapproval of the airline’s response.
| Survey Question | Response | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Was the crew justified in slapping the passenger? | No | 89% |
| Should airlines have mental health protocols? | Yes | 94% |
| Would you feel safe flying with IndiGo now? | No | 71% |
Twitter user @saeedwrites posted:
“Why was a frightened man slapped four times instead of helped? Airlines need human beings, not machines trained to follow only SOPs.”
Legal Experts Weigh In
Criminal lawyer Aaqib Rizvi said that the act could be prosecuted under Section 323 (Voluntarily causing hurt) and Section 504 (Intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace) of the IPC.
“Regardless of context, slapping someone who is unarmed and in distress is punishable under Indian law. An internal airline protocol cannot override a citizen’s rights.”
He also mentioned that the CISF’s role in failing to file an FIR immediately may also be questioned in a court of law if the case proceeds legally.
Calls for Reform and Mandatory Crew Retraining
In the wake of this event, passenger rights groups and aviation NGOs have called for the DGCA to mandate psychological training for flight attendants and to establish a Passenger Advocacy Helpline to register mid-air abuse incidents.
Recommendations from advocacy groups include:
| Proposed Reform | Description |
|---|---|
| Mental Health Emergency Protocol | Train crew to de-escalate panic situations |
| Passenger Advocacy Cell | Independent authority to investigate mid-air complaints |
| Audio-Visual Cabin Monitoring | Record crew-passenger interactions for transparency |
| Crew Certification Refreshers | Mandatory biennial sensitivity training for all cabin staff |
| Quick Response App | Onboard passengers can log real-time complaints via airline app |
Conclusion
The incident involving Mohammad Arif is not just about one flyer and one slap — it is a reflection of a deeper structural issue in India’s civil aviation ecosystem. As air travel becomes more accessible to first-time travelers, airlines must evolve from merely managing operations to cultivating compassionate, responsive, and inclusive airspaces.
While IndiGo maintains it acted by the book, the public sentiment strongly leans toward the need for greater accountability, transparent review, and above all, basic human empathy onboard India’s expanding fleet of domestic airlines.
Whether this episode leads to genuine reform or becomes another footnote in aviation controversies remains to be seen.
Disclaimer: This report is based on first-hand accounts, viral media content, and publicly available information as of July 30, 2025. All individuals and entities mentioned have the right to respond and share their version of the incident. This news content is for informational and journalistic purposes only.
