Supreme Court Sends Notices to Centre, DGCA in Air India Urination Case, Woman Demands SOP Framework

Supreme Court Issues Notices to Centre, DGCA on Plea of Woman for Framing SOP on Air India Urination Case.

Air India

A bench comprising Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justices P S Narasimha and J B Pardiwala has taken cognizance of the woman’s plea and issued notices to the Centre, DGCA, and all airlines involved, including Air India. The court has also sought the assistance of Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who was present during the proceedings, in formulating the SOP. The court has scheduled the hearing for after the summer vacation in July.

In a significant development, the Supreme Court of India has agreed to examine the plea of a 72-year-old woman who experienced an appalling incident on an Air India flight in November last year. The woman, on whom a male co-passenger urinated during the flight, has filed a petition seeking direction to the Centre, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), and airlines to establish a standard operating procedure (SOP) to deal with such incidents.

The elderly woman resorted to filing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in March after both Air India and the DGCA allegedly failed to handle the situation with care and responsibility following the incident. Feeling constrained, she approached the apex court for justice and to ensure that necessary measures are taken to prevent such occurrences in the future.

Supreme Court and Airline

Previously, on January 31, a Delhi court granted bail to Shankar Mishra, the accused charged with urinating on his fellow female co-passenger during the Air India flight from New York to Delhi. Mishra was released on a personal bond of Rs 1 lakh along with a surety of the same amount. The court imposed several conditions, including non-tampering with evidence, non-influencing of witnesses, and no contact with them in any manner. The court prohibited Mishra from leaving the country without prior permission and required him to cooperate with the investigation and trial proceedings.

The incident, which took place on November 26, occurred when Mishra allegedly urinated on the woman while in an intoxicated state within the business class cabin of the Air India flight. The shocking incident not only violated the woman’s dignity but also raised questions about the airline’s and the DGCA’s handling of such incidents and the need for a comprehensive SOP to address them.

The Supreme Court’s decision to issue notices to the concerned authorities and airlines demonstrates its commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of passengers. By seeking the assistance of the Solicitor General, the court aims to formulate a robust SOP that will not only provide guidelines for handling such incidents but also act as a deterrent for potential offenders.

This case highlights the urgent need for airlines and regulatory bodies to address issues of misconduct and ensure the safety and dignity of passengers, particularly women and vulnerable individuals. We hope that the Supreme Court’s intervention will pave the way for comprehensive guidelines and regulations.

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