SpiceJet Employee Arrested for Assault on CISF Officer Amidst Harassment Claim

A SpiceJet employee was detained on Thursday after allegedly slapping a Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) officer during a security screening dispute. The airline has termed it a severe case of sexual harassment. CCTV footage shows the CISF officer conversing with the woman before she steps forward and slaps him. A female constable then intervenes and takes her aside.

According to the CISF complaint, the incident occurred around 4:40 am when Anuradha Rani, the accused, was entering the airport with other staff through the vehicle gate. She was stopped by Assistant Sub Inspector (ASI) Giriraj Prasad for allegedly lacking valid permission to use that gate. Although she had a valid BCAS-issued airport entry pass, she was asked to wait for screening at a nearby entrance for airline crew due to the absence of female CISF personnel.

SpiceJet's Response

SpiceJet has approached local police and stated it is taking immediate legal action. The airline claimed their employee faced inappropriate language and was asked to meet the CISF officer at his home after duty hours. "We stand firmly by our employee and are committed to providing her with full support," said a SpiceJet spokesperson.

The police have registered an assault case against Rani based on ASI Prasad's complaint. Local court sent her to judicial custody. DCP Kavendra Singh mentioned, "The woman has been arrested and her statement is being taken. We are verifying the facts following which appropriate action will be taken."

Details of the Incident

Local Jaipur airport police station SHO Ram Lal explained that ASI Prasad called a female colleague for the security check, but the argument escalated, leading to Rani slapping him. The CISF officials stated that CCTV footage showed about six people, including a female CISF personnel, were present during the altercation.

CISF officials have initiated a thorough inquiry into the incident. They claimed that CCTV footage showed Rani hitting the uniformed official without provocation. A deputy inspector general (DIG)-rank officer of the CISF will review the situation on Friday.

Legal Proceedings

The police have charged Rani under sections 121(1) for voluntarily causing hurt to deter a public servant from his duty and 132 for assaulting a public servant of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Meanwhile, CISF officials dismissed the sexual harassment allegations as an afterthought because they refused a mutual compromise and chose to file a police complaint instead.

The CISF provides counter-terrorist security cover to Jaipur airport and 67 other civil aviation facilities in India. The investigation continues as authorities verify all details surrounding this incident.