Retired Military Officials Criticize SpiceJet's Five-Year Ban on Army Officer
SpiceJet's recent decision to impose a no-fly ban for five years on a senior officer of the Indian Army has sparked significant backlash from retired military personnel. They criticize the airline for what they see as unfair treatment towards armed forces members, while not addressing accountability issues within SpiceJet's own ranks.
The situation arose from an incident on July 26 at Srinagar International Airport, where the officer reportedly assaulted four employees of SpiceJet, resulting in one staff member suffering a spinal fracture. In response, the airline implemented the ban, prohibiting the officer from flying on any of its domestic, international, and non-scheduled services for the next five years.
Veterans React Sharply
Several retired high-ranking military officers have expressed their disapproval on social media.
| Officer | Comment |
|---|---|
| Air Marshal (Retd) Sanjeev Kapoor | "What a shame on @DGCAIndia and @flyspicejet. Instead of holding your own staff accountable, they have taken this route. @adgpi should take up the case with internal findings to @MoCA_GoI." |
| Lieutenant General (Retd) KJS Dhillon | "I put this good-for-nothing group of goons airline on NO FLY WITH for life. I stand with my Army Officers and Soldiers." |
| Major General (Retd) Harsha Kakar | "Problems anywhere, call the army. But when all is normal, target army personnel. @flyspicejet you ban an army officer because your people misbehaved." |
Clash of Complaints
The incident has resulted in competing legal complaints. In Srinagar, the police have filed a case against the officer under Section 115 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for voluntarily causing hurt. Meanwhile, the officer has lodged a counter-complaint, claiming that he was attacked by airline staff, leading to a First Information Report (FIR) being filed against the employees as well.
SpiceJet has so far refrained from making further comments on the ongoing controversy.
Wider Debate
This situation has sparked a broader discussion about the responsibilities of airlines and how uniformed personnel are treated. While SpiceJet emphasizes the importance of staff safety, critics argue that taking punitive action against an Army officer before a full investigation is completed could set a concerning precedent.
Neither the Ministry of Civil Aviation nor the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) have yet commented on the issue, although there are increasing calls for government involvement.
