2016 Leh flight victim’s kin get 30 lakh as compensation
Times of India | 6 June 2025
12 Kolkata: The state consumer disputes redressal commission has awarded Rs 30 lakh as compensation to a family of a passenger who had died in a flight a decade ago.The two-member bench comprising Ajeya Matilal and Nityasundar Trivedi determined that the airline provided insufficient service, citing non-functional oxygen supply and absence of trained staff to operate the oxygen cylinder, for the person's death.Sabita Roy, a Kolkata-based advocate, had travelled to Leh with her family during the puja holidays in 2016. On Oct 12 morning, just before boarding their return flight to New Delhi, she experienced breathlessness at the Leh airport. Although the airline provided oxygen, her husband Kiran Shankar Roy informed the commission that the cylinder had malfunctioned. Additionally, she was compelled to walk without wheelchair assistance.The airline officials contested that Sabita was fit to travel but fell ill due to inappropriate clothing in Leh's cold climate.Roy informed the commission that Sabita received insufficient oxygen support, and at boarding, was given a portable can that did not contain enough oxygen to support her during the journey. The airline maintained that a doctor from the tarmac attended to Sabita and administered oxygen.At 8.28 am, after the aircraft doors closed, Sabita began experiencing severe breathing difficulties. When her pulse weakened, a co-passenger who was a doctor attempted CPR, according to Roy's statement to the commission.By 8.42 am, her condition deteriorated, necessitating the flight's return to Leh, landing at 8.55 am. An airport ambulance transported her to the army hospital, where doctors pronounced her dead.Both her husband and the airport officials had pointed out that a doctor had treated her a day before at Leh when she had breathing problem and she was given a fit-to-fly certificate. The commission granted Rs 30 lakh compensation considering her age and earning capacity, for her "sudden and untimely death", plus Rs 20,000 litigation costs. The airline officials stated they had supported the family with complimentary accommodation and other assistance. The commission concluded that no wheelchair was provided to Sabita, though she was having breathing problem. She was forced to walk up the ramp and this could have aggravated her condition that could have been avoided, it was noted. The commission officials also found the oxygen cylinder didn't work. Kolkata: The state consumer disputes redressal commission has awarded Rs 30 lakh as compensation to a family of a passenger who had died in a flight a decade ago.The two-member bench comprising Ajeya Matilal and Nityasundar Trivedi determined that the airline provided insufficient service, citing non-functional oxygen supply and absence of trained staff to operate the oxygen cylinder, for the person's death.Sabita Roy, a Kolkata-based advocate, had travelled to Leh with her family during the puja holidays in 2016. On Oct 12 morning, just before boarding their return flight to New Delhi, she experienced breathlessness at the Leh airport. Although the airline provided oxygen, her husband Kiran Shankar Roy informed the commission that the cylinder had malfunctioned. Additionally, she was compelled to walk without wheelchair assistance.The airline officials contested that Sabita was fit to travel but fell ill due to inappropriate clothing in Leh's cold climate.Roy informed the commission that Sabita received insufficient oxygen support, and at boarding, was given a portable can that did not contain enough oxygen to support her during the journey. The airline maintained that a doctor from the tarmac attended to Sabita and administered oxygen.At 8.28 am, after the aircraft doors closed, Sabita began experiencing severe breathing difficulties. When her pulse weakened, a co-passenger who was a doctor attempted CPR, according to Roy's statement to the commission.By 8.42 am, her condition deteriorated, necessitating the flight's return to Leh, landing at 8.55 am. An airport ambulance transported her to the army hospital, where doctors pronounced her dead.Both her husband and the airport officials had pointed out that a doctor had treated her a day before at Leh when she had breathing problem and she was given a fit-to-fly certificate. The commission granted Rs 30 lakh compensation considering her age and earning capacity, for her "sudden and untimely death", plus Rs 20,000 litigation costs. The airline officials stated they had supported the family with complimentary accommodation and other assistance. The commission concluded that no wheelchair was provided to Sabita, though she was having breathing problem. She was forced to walk up the ramp and this could have aggravated her condition that could have been avoided, it was noted. The commission officials also found the oxygen cylinder didn't work.