In a shocking incident aboard IndiGo flight 6E 138 from Mumbai to Kolkata, a male passenger allegedly slapped a fellow passenger before the flight took off on Friday morning. The altercation occurred after the boarding process had been completed and passengers were seated, just before the aircraft began taxiing at the Mumbai airport.
According to sources, the accused suddenly slapped another male passenger, who was walking toward the front of the aircraft. A video circulating on social media, though yet to be independently verified, shows the victim visibly distressed and crying while fellow passengers protest the violent behaviour. IndiGo crew members swiftly intervened and moved the victim away from the scene.
The airline alerted its ground team at Kolkata airport about the incident. Upon landing at 5:35 AM, both passengers were escorted off the aircraft by Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel and IndiGo security staff. They were then handed over to the police at the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International (NSCBI) Airport.
Both individuals were detained and questioned at the airport police station. While the accused was not arrested, he was issued a formal warning and released. Police sources have indicated that the victim may have underlying mental health issues, although no further details have been disclosed. The identities of both passengers remain undisclosed.
IndiGo issued an official statement on X (formerly Twitter), strongly condemning the unruly behaviour. “Such behaviour is completely unacceptable, and we remain committed to maintaining a safe and respectful environment on all our flights,” the airline stated. They added that all regulatory agencies had been duly informed, and their crew had acted according to standard procedures.
The incident has raised fresh concerns about in-flight safety and passenger conduct, particularly on domestic routes that have seen a rise in such altercations in recent times.
