In a bizarre sequence of events that started with a mid-flight panic attack and ended with a man going missing for over 24 hours, authorities have finally traced Hossain Ahmed Majumder, who was slapped by a fellow passenger on an Indigo flight on Friday.
Hossain Ahmed Majumder was flying from Mumbai to Silchar with a layover in Kolkata and suffered a panic attack mid-flight. He was later consoled by the cabin crew when another passenger, later identified as Hafijul Rahaman, assaulted him. “He was causing trouble,” Rahaman told the police when questioned about his actions. The two did not know each other.
Following the in-flight clash, Majumder did not board his connecting Kolkata-Silchar flight. His sudden disappearance triggered anxiety among his family, who had gathered at Silchar airport to receive him. They feared the worst while unable to contact him for more than a day.
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Majumder Found in Barpeta, Assam, After 24 Hours
Relief came on Saturday evening when Majumder was finally found at a train station in Barpeta, Assam. He had opted to travel by train instead of continuing his journey by air. The reason behind his decision to remain untraceable and avoid phone calls is still unclear.
His family members confirmed that they had no contact with him after he left Mumbai and were in a state of “intense panic” throughout Friday night and Saturday morning.
Indigo Airlines Imposes Temporary Flying Ban on Rahaman
Meanwhile, Indigo Airlines responded quickly. The airline barred Hafijul Rahaman from boarding any of its flights for the next 30 days pending an internal investigation. “This temporary ban is being enforced under the provisions of the no-fly list for unruly passengers,” the airline stated.
Further disciplinary action may be taken once the probe is completed.
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At the moment, the ban only applies to Indigo flights. It is now up to other domestic carriers to decide whether to include Rahaman in their no-fly lists. A national no-fly list could also follow depending on the outcome of the legal process.
Police Action and Ongoing Investigation
Kolkata’s Bidhannagar Police confirmed that Indigo Airlines filed a complaint regarding “a heated altercation” between two passengers. Rahaman was marked as unruly by the crew and handed over to the airport security staff upon landing in Kolkata. He was later released by the police, pending further investigation.
The entire episode highlights concerns around passenger behavior and airline response to medical emergencies during flights. Authorities continue to assess both the legal and aviation safety implications of the incident.
