New Delhi: India’s aviation regulator DGCA has formed a three-member team to conduct a ‘fact-finding enquiry’ into IndiGo recently barring a specially-abled child from boarding a flight at the Ranchi airport as he was in a ‘state of panic’, officials said Monday. “They will visit Ranchi and Hyderabad (place of stay of the family concerned) and collect appropriate evidence within one week from today. Based on the outcome of the said enquiry, further action shall entail,” the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said in a statement.
IndiGo CEO Ronojoy Dutta expressed regret Monday over the incident. He offered to buy an electric wheelchair for the specially-abled child. Dutta however, said the airline staff took the best possible decision under difficult circumstances.
In a statement, Dutta said, “We recognise too well that parents who dedicate their lives to the caring of physically-challenged persons are the true heroes of our society. We offer our sincere regrets to the affected family for the unfortunate experience. As a small token of our appreciation of their lifelong dedication, IndiGo would like to offer to purchase an electric wheelchair for their son.”
Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said on Twitter that no human being should have to go through this. Scindia said he himself is investigating the Ranchi incident.
Meanwhile, the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has asked the Jharkhand police to lodge an FIR against IndiGo as there was a prima facie violation of section 7 of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, which is cognisable in nature.
NCPCR Chairperson Priyank Kanoongo has also asked the DGCA to initiate an inquiry in the matter and take necessary action against the airline and its manager.
The incident came to light after other passengers highlighted it on social media Sunday.
DGCA chief Arun Kumar had earlier said Sunday that the aviation regulator has sought a report from IndiGo on the matter. The DGCA is probing the incident and will take appropriate action, he said.
As the boy was prohibited from boarding IndiGo’s Ranchi-Hyderabad flight Saturday, his parents – who were accompanying him – also decided not to enter the plane.
“Having reviewed all aspects of this incident, we as an organisation are of the view that we made the best possible decision under difficult circumstances,” Dutta said in the same statement. “Throughout the check-in and boarding process, our intent of course was to carry the family. However, at the boarding area, the teenager was visibly in panic,” he further said. “All of us at IndiGo are truly distressed by this particular incident,” he added.
Since April, the airline has carried over 75,000 specially-abled passengers in its flights and its crew and airport staff are trained to serve such passengers sensitively, Dutta informed.