Mistreated, missed flight: Army officer who beat up SpiceJet crew, files FIR against airline
The Army officer who was filmed beating up SpiceJet staff at the Srinagar Airport, has said that he was mistreated by them. He claimed that he missed his flight because of the staff at the airport. He has also filed an FIR against the airlines. Meanwhile the airlines also filed an FIR against the Armyman and said that he beat up 4 of its staff at the Srinagar International airport, leaving them seriously injured. The airline staff suffered a jaw injury and also injury to his spine, they said.
New Delhi: An Army officer was booked for allegedly beating up 4 employees of SpiceJet at the Srinagar International Airport. The incident happened on July 26 and its video went viral on Sunday. The officer is posted in north Kashmir and was travelling to New Delhi. The man reportedly beat up the airline's employees after being asked to pay extra for his luggage.
Man beat up staff
The Army officer is attached to the High-Altitude Warfare School in Gulmarg. He was carrying 16 kg cabin luggage, which was much over the permissible limit of 7 kgs. When he was asked to pay for the extra baggage, he refused.
According to a SpiceJet spokesperson, the officer then forced his way into the aerobridge, without completing boarding formalities. The staff then alerted the Airport security and the officer was escorted back by CISF personnel. It was here that matters escalated.
Soon after reaching the gate, the Army officer picked up a queue stand and started hitting the airline staff with it. He was also seen punching and kicking them.The entire incident was caught on camera and went viral. The officer was reportedly on Emergency leave.
Spice jet said that the officer's actions left its staff seriously injured. The staff suffered spinal injury and jaw trauma, they added. According to SpiceJet, one of the airline's employees fainted and fell to the ground, but the Army officer continued to kick and punch him. When another staffer bent down to check on his colleague, he was also hit by the Army personnel,and suffered bleeding from his nose and mouth.
The 4 injured staffers were shifted to Bone and Joint Hospital and later referred to SMHS Srinagar. SpiceJet has filed an FIR in the matter and police are investigating the matter.
Response of Army officer and Army
The Army officer who has not been identified also filed a counter complaint against the airlines. He claimed that he was mistreated and missed his flight. The airlines in its complaint to the police have said that the officer conducted a "murderous assault" on the staff members.
The police have collected the CCTV footage from the airport and are investigating the matter.
The Army also released a statement post the incident. They said that the matter was being investigated. "Based on the outcome, further course of action will be decided." The Defence PRO in Srinagar said, "Indian Army is committed to upholding the highest standards of discipline and conduct and takes all allegations seriously. Full cooperation is being extended to the authorities in investigating the case."
Times of India quoted the relatives of the injured SpiceJet employees as saying, "We trusted the system and didn't approach the media immediately. But we were shocked he was allowed to leave Srinagar the very next day."
The Jammu and Kashmir Police have not issued any media statement so far. The CISF said that they immediately intervened and managed the situation and ensured there was no disruption of flight services.