SpiceJet staff suffer spinal, jaw injuries in ‘murderous assault by Army officer’ who was asked to pay for extra baggage

The incident took place on July 26, and SpiceJet issued a statement on Sunday, saying injuries suffered by their staff members in the “murderous assault” include a spinal fracture.

In a statement, the Army said, “The matter involving an alleged altercation between an Army personnel and airline staff at Srinagar Airport on July 26 has come to the notice of the Indian Army. The 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.”

When contacted, Singh, a Lieutenant Colonel posted at the High Altitude Warfare School in Kashmir’s Gulmarg, said over the phone, “I have no story to tell. The story is that they harassed me and provoked me. That is all.”

Elaborating on the incident, a SpiceJet spokesperson said the assault took place at the boarding gate of flight SG-386 from Srinagar to Delhi.

“Our staff members suffered a spinal fracture and serious jaw injuries after being attacked with punches, repeated kicks and a queue stand. One SpiceJet employee collapsed unconscious on the floor, but the passenger continued kicking and hitting the fainted employee. Another staff member suffered bleeding from the nose and mouth after receiving a forceful kick to the jaw while bending down to assist the colleague who had fainted. The injured employees were rushed to the hospital and remain under treatment for the grievous injuries sustained,” the airline said.

CCTV footage of the incident showed the airport staff being assaulted and one of the injured being carried away on a stretcher.

According to SpiceJet, the passenger was carrying two pieces of cabin baggage weighing a total of 16 kg, “more than double the permitted limit of 7 kg”. “When politely informed of the excess baggage and asked to pay the applicable charges, the passenger refused and forcefully entered the aerobridge without completing the boarding process — a clear violation of aviation security protocols. He was escorted back to the gate by a CISF official,” the spokesperson said. “At the gate, the passenger grew increasingly aggressive and physically assaulted four members of the SpiceJet ground staff,” the statement said.

Police have filed two FIRs in the incident — one based on a complaint from SpiceJet personnel and another based on a complaint from the Army officer.

A videograb of the incident at the Srinagar airport.

The first FIR was registered under BNS sections 115(2) (voluntarily causing hurt), 351(2) (criminal Intimidation) and 131 (criminal assault or force), police said, and the second under BNS sections 131, 115(2) and 191(2) (use of force or violence by an assembly).

SpiceJet said the airline has initiated the process to “place the passenger on the no-fly list in accordance with civil aviation regulations”.

“SpiceJet has written to the Ministry of Civil Aviation, apprising them about the murderous assault on its staff and has requested appropriate action against the passenger,” the SpiceJet spokesperson said. “The airline has secured the CCTV footage of the incident from the airport authorities and handed it over to the police. SpiceJet strongly condemns any act of violence against its employees and will pursue this matter to its fullest legal and regulatory conclusion.”