SRINAGAR, Aug 3: A case has been registered against Lieutenant Colonel of the Army for allegedly assaulting SpiceJet ground staff at Srinagar Airport during a dispute over excess cabin baggage today, injuring two employees.The incident took place at Boarding Gate No. 2 just before the scheduled 6:10 pm departure of SpiceJet Flight SG-386 to Delhi. The CCTV footage, which went viral on social media, shows the Army officer repeatedly hitting an airline employee with a queue stand.
The accused officer was identified as Lt. Colonel Ritesh Kumar Singh, currently posted at the High Altitude Warfare School (HAWS) in Gulmarg. He was assigned Seat No. 24D on the Delhi-bound flight.Airport officials said the dispute began when Col Singh was informed that his cabin baggage weighed 16 kg-more than twice the 7 kg limit. “When asked to pay the excess baggage charges, he allegedly refused and tried to enter the aerobridge without completing boarding formalities,” an official said.
A CISF officer posted there stopped him and escorted him back to the gate.
“The passenger assaulted our staff with punches, kicks, and even used a queue stand as a weapon,” a spokesperson of SpiceJet said. “One employee collapsed and was still being kicked. Another suffered a fractured jaw while helping his colleague,” he said.
Airport medical teams provided first aid before both injured staff members were taken to the hospital. “One had a spinal injury, while the other suffered facial injuries, including bleeding from the nose and mouth,” the spokesperson said.
The airline submitted CCTV footage to the police, and an FIR was filed against the officer. SpiceJet has also written to the Ministry of Civil Aviation, calling the attack “murderous” and demanding strict action.
The Airport Security Group quickly brought the situation under control, and the flight departed on time.
Srinagar based Defence spokesman said here in a statement that the Army is fully cooperating with the authorities in investigating the case.
“The Indian Army is committed to upholding the highest standards of discipline and conduct and takes all allegations seriously. Full cooperation is being extended to the authorities in investigating the case,” a Defence spokesperson said.
