SpiceJet Slapgate: Airline Staffer Sent to 15-Day Custody For Slapping CISF Jawan

Jaipur: The SpiceJet employee who slapped a Central Industrial Security Force(CISF) officer at Jaipur aiport has been sent to 15-day police custody after an FIR was filed against her on Friday. The airline staffer slapped the jawan during an argument over security screening at Jaipur airport. A CCTV video clip of the incident is viral across social media and the airline has called the incident a "serious case of sexual harassment."

Regarding the arrest of a SpiceJet female employee for slapping a CISF ASI at Jaipur airport, Malviya Nagar ACP Aditya Punia said, “Yesterday, we received information that a female employee of SpiceJet attacked ASI Giriraj Prasad at Jaipur airport. The complainant stated that while he was on duty at the airport's vehicle gate, the SpiceJet crew member arrived with a food truck and other items... there was no female officer on duty during that shift, so the ASI asked the female crew member to wait until another female officer arrived... We have also reviewed the CCTV footage and arrested the woman, presenting her in court. Last evening, she also filed a case of misconduct against ASI Giriraj Prasad.”

As per police sources, the SpiceJet employee had refused to undergo frisking while entering Jaipur airport, possibly because no female constable was present at the side gate. Anuradha Rani, who was part of the ground staff responsible for loading food and beverages onto planes, had the necessary documents to enter the airport at 4 am on Thursday, according to sources.

However, her refusal to undergo the security check resulted in an argument with the security personnel, added sources.

Airport police station in-charge Motilal said that ASI Giriraj Prasad filed a case against the SpiceJet crew member. ASI reported that the crew member was on duty in the back office and arrived at the airport at 4 am.

He said, "The crew member tried to enter without a security check. On this, I stopped her and asked her to get screened. The crew member cited the lack of female staff and refused to get screened."

When she mentioned the lack of female staff, Giriraj sent a message via wireless to the airport control officials and asked them to call female staff. Meanwhile, the crew member became angry and started arguing. There was a heated exchange between the two. Before the female staff could arrive, the crew member slapped the ASI.

The viral video clip shows the CISF officer speaking to the woman. Suddenly, she moves two steps towards him and then delivers a slap on his face.

A woman constable then takes her aside.

While the police have registered a case of assault against Anuradha Rani on the basis of a complaint by Assistant Sub Inspector Giriraj Prasad, the airline too has approached the local police and said it is taking immediate legal action.

Officials said the woman was sent to judicial custody by a local court.

The SpiceJet statement claimed that their employee was subject to inappropriate language and the CISF officer even asked her to "come and meet him after his duty hours at his home".

Police initially said Rani worked as a food supervisor, however, the airline described her as a female security staff member.

"The woman has been arrested and her statement is being taken. The woman has also lodged a complaint. We are verifying the facts following which appropriate action will be taken," DCP Kavendra Singh said.

According to the CISF complaint, an argument took place when Rani was entering the airport along with other staff through the vehicle gate around 4:40 am.

She was stopped by the ASI for allegedly not having valid permission to use that gate, CISF officials said.

While she had a valid BCAS-issued airport entry pass, she was asked to wait for screening and frisking at the nearby entrance for airline crew as there was no female CISF personnel available at that time, they said.

She was not allowed to enter from the "vehicle gate", CISF officials added.

Local Jaipur airport police station SHO Ram Lal said the ASI then called a female colleague for the security check, but the argument escalated and the SpiceJet employee slapped him.

The airline said in its statement, "While escorting a catering vehicle at the steel gate, our female security staff member, who had a valid airport entry pass issued by the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), India's civil aviation security regulator, was subjected to inappropriate and unacceptable language by the CISF personnel, including asking her to come and meet him after his duty hours at his home."

"We stand firmly by our employee and are committed to providing her with full support," the SpiceJet spokesperson said.

Asked about the charges of sexual harassment being levelled by the woman against the ASI, CISF officials said the allegation was an "afterthought" as they refused a mutual compromise and chose to file a complaint with the police.

The CISF officials said CCTV recording of the early morning incident shows that about six people, including a woman CISF personnel, were at the spot when the alleged argument and the slapping happened.

CISF officials said a thorough inquiry is being conducted into the incident after CCTV footage showed that the woman hit the uniformed official "despite no provocation".

A deputy inspector general (DIG)-rank officer of the CISF will also take stock of the situation at the ground on Friday.

The CISF provides a counter-terrorist security cover to the Jaipur airport apart from 67 other such civil aviation facilities in the country.

Police said a case has been registered against the SpiceJet employee under sections 121 (1) (voluntarily causing hurt to deter public servant from his duty) and 132 (assaulting public servant) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).