New Delhi, Nov 26 (UNI) The Supreme Court on Tuesday emphasized the need for taking innovative measures to address unruly behaviour of Air passengers on flights and urged authorities to consider amending existing guidelines to align with international standards.
A Bench comprising Justice B.R. Gavai and Justice K.V. Viswanathan made the observations while hearing the plea of a 72-year-old woman after an inebriated passenger urinated on her during an Air India flight in November 2022.
“Something creative will have to be done, maybe strategic seating or other measures,” the Court remarked, highlighting the importance of proactive strategies to prevent similar incidents.
Justice Viswanathan shared a personal anecdote during the proceedings, recalling an experience involving two intoxicated passengers on a flight he had taken with Justice Surya Kant.
“One passenger locked himself in the toilet and slept, while the other roamed with a vomit bag. The all-women crew handled the situation with remarkable composure,” he said.
The Court, while adjourning the case for eight weeks, directed Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati to ensure the relevant authorities review and update regulations governing passenger misconduct.
The case stems from a November 2022 incident where Shankar Mishra, allegedly intoxicated,
urinated on the petitioner, a 72-year-old woman during an international flight.
The victim’s letter to Tata Group’s Chairperson brought the matter to public attention, leading to Mishra’s arrest by Delhi Police and dismissal from his job at Wells Fargo.
In response to the petitioner’s earlier plea, the Supreme Court sought input from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) in May 2023, urging the framing of stricter regulations.
The Delhi High Court had subsequently directed the DGCA to set up an appellate committee to address Mishra’s appeal against his designation as an “unruly passenger” and a four-month flying ban.
