Man from Assam Claims He Was Assaulted by Co-Passenger While Experiencing Panic Attack on IndiGo Flight
In a deeply unsettling incident aboard an IndiGo flight from Mumbai to Silchar via Kolkata, a 32-year-old man from Assam, Hussain Ahmed Majumdar, alleged he was slapped multiple times by a fellow passenger after suffering a mid-air panic attack. The incident took place in the early hours of Thursday and has since sparked conversations around mental health awareness and passenger conduct on Indian flights.
✈️ What Happened on the Flight?
- Hussain Ahmed Majumdar, who works at a hotel in Mumbai, boarded an IndiGo flight around 2 AM.
- During the journey, he began to experience a panic attack and was visibly scared and shivering.
- Seeking comfort, he sat beside a co-passenger and greeted him with a “salam” after learning his name.
“I asked his name, and he said Hafijul Rahaman. When he saw I was nervous, he lost his control and slapped me 3–4 times,” Majumdar told reporters.
👨✈️ Cabin Crew Response
- Two IndiGo cabin crew members immediately stepped in to handle the situation.
- They offered water to Mr Majumdar and tried to calm him down.
- The accused, Hafijul Rahaman, was questioned by the crew about the assault.
“The crew asked him why he slapped me. I didn’t misbehave with him,” Mr Majumdar added.
🚨 Police Involvement After Landing
- Upon landing at Kolkata airport, both Mr Majumdar and the accused were detained and taken to a local police station.
- Hafijul Rahaman was later released.
- Mr Majumdar was also taken to a hospital for a medical check-up.
🩺 Health Impact and Missed Connection
- Due to the incident, Majumdar missed his connecting flight to Silchar.
- He later reported head pain and difficulty getting up, attributed to the slaps.
“Due to the slapping, I have pain in my head and I’m unable to get up easily,” he said.
🧭 Found After Missing Report Filed
- After the incident, Majumdar’s family filed a missing person complaint as they lost contact with him.
- On Saturday, he was located at a railway station in Barpeta, Assam, roughly 400 km away from Silchar.
🧠 Broader Questions Raised
This case has sparked discussions around:
- Mental health sensitivity among airline passengers
- The need for crew training in handling panic attacks
- Passenger accountability and behavior during in-flight incidents
Also Read : Man Slapped Mid-Flight After Panic Attack Found at Assam Railway Station
