The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken suo motu cognisance of media reports on the death of an 80-year-old who had to walk due to non-availability of a wheelchair at the Mumbai airport. The rights commission has issued a notice to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation calling for a report in four weeks.
On February 12, an 80-year-old Air India passenger, who had requested a wheelchair at the Mumbai airport but decided to walk as he was asked to wait due to heavy demand for wheelchair, died after collapsing at the time of the immigration process.
The Indian origin man, having a US Passport, was traveling with his wife from New York to Mumbai on an Air India flight. The DGCA had
asked the airline to submit a report on the incident.
The Commission observed that, if true, the incident raises a serious issue of violation of human rights of the victim. It has, thus, issued a notice to the DGCA for a detailed report, which should include the status of compensation, if any, provided to the Next of Kin of the deceased.
The Commission has also asked for steps taken or proposed to avoid such incidents in future.
NHRC observed that there has been a significant increase in the number of air passengers and airfare, however, the standard of facilities have not improved proportionately.
