Hair found in Air India flight food, HC imposes fine of Rs 35,000

Chennai. The Madras High Court has imposed a fine of Rs 35,000 on Air India in connection with a passenger finding hair in their food during their flight. This fine will be paid to the passenger. However, the High Court has granted Air India some relief in this case, as the lower court had imposed a fine of Rs 1 lakh, which Air India had appealed against.

According to a report, Justice P.B. Balaji issued this order, partially upholding Air India Limited’s appeal. The judge said, “Air India officials have been inconsistent and unsure in their written statements in this matter. For example, they once claimed that seven employees were present on the plane at the time, but the passenger did not complain to anyone. However, in their voluntary written statement, they admitted that the passenger had made a verbal complaint, which was immediately relayed to the company via radio.”

According to the report, the plaintiff (passenger) experienced persistent stomach pain and vomiting during this time. They further stated that after the flight landed, a senior catering manager attempted to meet with the passenger, but the passenger refused to meet with him. Subsequently, the passenger filed a complaint directly with the airport manager.

The judge said, “Contrary to the written statements, the defendants actually admit that there was hair in the food packet served to the passenger. Considering this, I do not believe that the caterer alone should be held responsible. The defendants cannot absolve themselves of this matter. It is no excuse to claim that compensation, if any, will be paid only by the caterer.”

He stated that Air India had clearly acted negligently in this matter. Therefore, it was clearly liable to pay compensation for the hair found in the package. The judge noted that although the food was not prepared directly by the defendants, it was prepared by their agent, Rajdoot Pallav.