The Supreme Court on Tuesday (November 26) directed the Centre and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to develop more comprehensive guidelines to address incidents of unruly passenger behavior on flights.

The move followed a petition by a 73-year-old woman who experienced a traumatic incident in Air India flight in November 2022. She alleged that a male co-passenger, intoxicated, urinated on her during the flight.

The petitioner requested the creation of a standard operating procedure (SOP) to manage such incidents efficiently. She also emphasized the need for measures that prioritize the safety and dignity of passengers, urging the authorities to align their protocols with international standards.

The petition highlighted multiple cases of passenger misconduct between 2014 and 2023, which were reportedly mishandled by airlines and regulators, stressing the need for a more robust response mechanism.

Judicial Observations
Justices B R Gavai and K V Viswanathan, who were part of the bench hearing the case, acknowledged the importance of coming up with "something creative" to address these challenges. Justice Viswanathan shared his personal experience with unruly passengers during a flight, highlighting the difficulties faced by airline staff when dealing with such situations.

Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, representing the Centre, assured the court that the existing guidelines were under review, and the authorities were open to considering suggestions from the petitioner.

Incident Background and Legal Developments
The petitioner argued that the incident revealed significant gaps in how airlines and regulators handle such misconduct. She filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in March 2023, criticizing Air India and DGCA for their inadequate response to her complaint.

Following the November 2022 incident, the accused, Shankar Mishra, was arrested but was granted bail by a Delhi court in January 2023. Conditions of his release included restrictions on tampering with evidence, influencing witnesses, or leaving the country without court permission.

Global Standards and Public Interest
The plea also called on DGCA and airlines to update their practices to meet international civil aviation standards. It also raised concerns about media coverage of such incidents, urging caution to protect the dignity of victims and ensure fair legal processes.

This Supreme Court directive marks a significant step in improving passenger safety and addressing the shortcomings in current aviation protocols. As the Centre and DGCA work on revising the guidelines, there are hopes for new measures that ensure accountability, reduce trauma for victims, and uphold the highest standards in air travel.

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