Current NewsOn January 7, 2023, a court of law at Delhi, ordered Shankar Mishra to be sent to judicial custody for a period of 14 days. It rejected the plea for a police custody of the former Air India passenger, Shankar Mishra. The police had also pleaded for a 3-day custody so that other co- passengers of the same Air India flight and the Air India cabin crew could be called forward to identify him, however, the plea was rejected.The judge said that in his opinion, there was no need to surpass general laws owing to public pressure and stated that: Passenger who peed on Co-passenger- Passenger who peed on Co-passenger
“Police custody is not required for recording the statement of witnesses. They can be interrogated in his absence. Statements can be recorded, and there is no requirement of his police custody.”Background of the MatterOn November 26, 2022, when an Air India flight was on its way from New York to India, Mr, Shankar Mishra, a passenger on the Air India flight allegedly urinated on another female co- passenger.The female passenger filed an FIR in Delhi. The Bangalore police then assisted the Delhi police in arresting the accused. Now that the Court has come into action, the police has mentioned in its investigation report that the Air India cabin crew did not tackle the matter on time and was indirectly involved in this wrongful act.Statements by Witnesses and People in AuthorityMr. Jyotiraditya Scindia, the Civil Aviation minister has promised that there will be fair and speedy investigation into the matter.Mr. Bhattacharjee was another passenger on the same Air India flight and he disclosed in his statement that Mr. Mishra peed on the old lady and the Air India crew only cleaned the seat and offered her new sheets while the seat still smelt of urine. The Air India crew did not bother to change her seat. Even when the lady demanded another seat, the head stewardess on the Air India flight denied her saying that she would have to ask the Captain first. Passenger who peed on Co-passenger- Passenger who peed on Co-passengerRepercussions of the CaseThe accused 34- year old passenger, Mr. Mishra, has been fired from his job at the US firm, Wells Fargo. The Air India CEO, Campbell Wilson tendered an apology to the lady on 7 January 2023 and also stated that Air India’s policy of serving alcohol on flights would be reviewed. He informed that the pilot and four crew members present on that flight have been punished accordingly. He even listed steps taken by Air India after 26th November as a result of the incident.
Passenger who peed on Co-passenger- Passenger who peed on Co-passenger
“Police custody is not required for recording the statement of witnesses. They can be interrogated in his absence. Statements can be recorded, and there is no requirement of his police custody.”
Background of the Matter
On November 26, 2022, when an Air India flight was on its way from New York to India, Mr, Shankar Mishra, a passenger on the Air India flight allegedly urinated on another female co- passenger.
The female passenger filed an FIR in Delhi. The Bangalore police then assisted the Delhi police in arresting the accused. Now that the Court has come into action, the police has mentioned in its investigation report that the Air India cabin crew did not tackle the matter on time and was indirectly involved in this wrongful act.
Statements by Witnesses and People in Authority
Mr. Jyotiraditya Scindia, the Civil Aviation minister has promised that there will be fair and speedy investigation into the matter.
Mr. Bhattacharjee was another passenger on the same Air India flight and he disclosed in his statement that Mr. Mishra peed on the old lady and the Air India crew only cleaned the seat and offered her new sheets while the seat still smelt of urine. The Air India crew did not bother to change her seat. Even when the lady demanded another seat, the head stewardess on the Air India flight denied her saying that she would have to ask the Captain first.
Passenger who peed on Co-passenger- Passenger who peed on Co-passenger
Repercussions of the Case
The accused 34- year old passenger, Mr. Mishra, has been fired from his job at the US firm, Wells Fargo. The Air India CEO, Campbell Wilson tendered an apology to the lady on 7 January 2023 and also stated that Air India’s policy of serving alcohol on flights would be reviewed. He informed that the pilot and four crew members present on that flight have been punished accordingly. He even listed steps taken by Air India after 26th November as a result of the incident.
