#indigoassault

In a disturbing incident that has sparked outrage across social media, Hussain Ahmed Mazumdar, a resident of Assam, was slapped mid-flight by a fellow passenger while experiencing a panic attack on an IndiGo flight from Mumbai to Kolkata. Days after the incident, Mazumdar has returned home—but he is still physically and emotionally reeling from the trauma.

The Mid-Air Assault

Mazumdar, who was visibly distressed and receiving assistance from cabin crew, was suddenly slapped by a co-passenger in an unprovoked attack. A video of the shocking moment quickly went viral, with another flyer in the footage confronting the assailant. The accused simply responded, "I was having a problem."

“Since that moment, I’ve had brain fog. My entire body is in pain. I can’t walk properly,” Mazumdar said in an emotional statement from his home near Barpeta, Assam.

Missing for Days, Found via Social Media

Following the assault, Mazumdar never boarded his connecting flight to Silchar and went missing for several days. His phone was switched off after landing in Kolkata, further worrying his family. It was only through a photo shared on social media and the help of a fellow train passenger that the family was able to trace him.

“We found him through a man on the train who saw the viral video and helped us get in touch,” said his younger brother, Dilwar Mazumdar, who later picked him up from Barpeta station.

Airline Response Under Fire

While IndiGo has since placed the assailant on a no-fly list, the victim’s family has accused the airline of failing to offer basic humanitarian support.

“They should have helped him file a police complaint, ensured he was safe, and made arrangements for his onward travel. But they did nothing,” Dilwar said.

The family believes the airline only acted after the video went public, and are demanding stronger protocols to protect passengers in vulnerable situations.

The Bigger Picture: Mental Health and Passenger Safety

This incident shines a harsh light on the lack of awareness and empathy for mental health conditions—even in confined public spaces like flights. Panic attacks are medical emergencies, and assaulting someone in distress not only shows ignorance but endangers lives.