The passenger alleged that Vistara did not provide wheelchair assistance to his mother, who is a senior citizen, and sister, who is suffering from acute rheumatoid arthritis and a neuropathy disorder. (Image: IANS/File)
The passenger alleged that he had requested wheelchairs for his ailing mother and sister, but the airline did not provide this assistance and later offered vouchers worth Rs 1,000 as “compensation”
A passenger filed a Rs 10 crore lawsuit against Vistara for the “pain, humiliation and endangerment” faced by his ailing mother and sister. The man, identified as Mudhit Gupta, alleged that he had requested wheelchairs for his ailing mother and sister, but the airline did not provide this assistance and later, in a “cruel blow”, offered vouchers worth Rs 1,000 as “compensation”.
In his lawsuit, Gupta has also highlighted the need for improved medical aid and passenger care in the airline industry. He said, as per rules, the airline must provide wheelchair assistance when requested.
Gupta alleged that his 81-year-old mother and sister, who is suffering from acute rheumatoid arthritis and a neuropathy disorder, did not get wheelchair assistance on their way to Colombo. The family had planned a round trip to Colombo to celebrate the 81st birthday of Gupta’s mother. He, his sister, brother and his wife as well as their two children had booked business class tickets and requested wheelchair assistance for the mother and sister.
But, Gupta said, their expectations of a safe and comfortable journey were not met as a series of distressing events unfolded at the beginning of their journey. The ordeal began when no wheelchairs were provided to assist his ailing sister and mother. On top of that, the flight was also delayed, he said.
“Perhaps, the most cruel blow was the compensation of vouchers worth Rs 1,000 that the airline offered on email. Is there a price to this humiliation and discomfort?” Gupta asked.
“The lawsuit seeks redress for the pain, humiliation and endangerment faced by my sister and highlights the urgent need for improved medical assistance and passenger care within the airline industry,” he added.
