'Everyday Horror': Kanchan Gupta Questions Air India's Ability to Carry Forward Tata's Legacy

New Delhi: Senior Advisor to the Ministry of Broadcasting, Kanchan Gupta, criticized Air India after an 82-year-old woman collapsed and got injured because the airline allegedly failed to provide her with a wheelchair. The elderly woman, Raj Pasricha is the widow of a decorated Lieutenant General. She had requested a wheelchair but reportedly left without help and was forced to walk. Since she was unable to manage on her own she collapsed at the airport. Gupta questioned whether Air India which is now owned by the Tata Group is capable of handling passenger safety properly.

Air India, however, denied the allegations, stating that the family voluntarily chose to walk after arriving late at the airport.  

‘Everyday Horror,’ Says Gupta

Gupta took to X, describing the incident as an “Everyday Horror” and questioning whether the airline, originally founded by JRD Tata, was capable of operating efficiently under its new management.  

"Clearly @AirIndia has no ability to run Air India. Everyday horror stories are the new norm at the airline founded by JRD Tata and repurchased from GoI by @TataCompanies. The grim story of an 82-year-old widow of a decorated General is Air India's boastful claim on #WomensDay," he wrote.  

Air India Refuses to Accept Blame

The airline issued a statement refuting the claims, saying the family arrived late and waited only 15 minutes for a wheelchair, which was unavailable due to peak demand. According to Air India:  

• The family arrived at the PRM (Persons with Reduced Mobility) desk less than 90 minutes before departure.  
• Due to high demand, a wheelchair was not available within 15 minutes.  
• The family allegedly chose to walk rather than wait longer.  
• The elderly woman collapsed at the airport but received immediate medical attention.  
• The airline staff provided assistance throughout her journey to Bengaluru.

The incident took place on March 4, 2025, at Delhi’s IGI Airport Terminal 3, where Pasricha was scheduled to fly to Bengaluru. Despite pre-booking a wheelchair, she allegedly waited for over an hour. Unable to stand any longer, she attempted to walk with her family’s support but collapsed near the airline’s premium economy counter.  

Her granddaughter, Parul Kanwar, took to social media, claiming her grandmother was left bleeding at the airport and allowed to board the flight with head injuries.