In an informal meeting with the media, Ashok Gajapathi Raju, Minister of Civil Aviation, outlined the steps that the government can take to prevent IndiGo-like incidents where a passenger was manhandled by the airline’s crew on an IndiGo flight. Excerpts:

Your initial comments on the incident?

Fisticuffs of any kind are to be condemned. I am very clear about this.

I have asked the Directorate- General of Civil Aviation to give me an independent report. This is not an incident that happened yesterday. It happened a few days back and there are certain procedures to be followed….I understand that some of them have not been followed. A notice will go (from) the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) as to why they were not followed.

Which were the procedures not followed?

Temporarily if they indulge in such actions they have to hand over their pass, if they possess one, to the the airport operator. If they are facing a permanent or long-term suspension then the passes have to be handed over to the BCAS.

We are talking of an incident that happened some days back. There are time limits on this. We cannot have violations of all kinds going on. This is incorrect. We have to find out who is at fault and take action.

After seeing the video do you think that IndiGo is at a fault for not taking action against the employees indulging in physical violence and do you think physical violence on passengers is justified in the name of security?

Security agencies might also come up with some difficulties …… we are not going into who is right and who is wrong at this stage. Any violation will definitely be attended to.

(Rahul) Bhatia had come here this morning to meet me.

I told him also that these kinds of barbaric things should not be allowed.

What is the maximum punishment that can be given to the airline for this incident?

I have not studied that. But this behaviour deserves to be condemned.

Will the condemnation lead to punitive measures or….

That depends on a lot of things. Let the DGCA report (come) we will take action, no problem on that score.

Will the (no fly list) rules cover airline crew also?

There are procedures and checks and balances. A notice is going out.

The government has to take a balanced view. We do not condemn anybody straight away except condemn an action. Prima-facie that action is condemnable. We are living in civilised society.

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