As a video making rounds on social media on Friday showed a SpiceJet staff member slapping a Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) officer at Tahasthan's Jaipur Airport during an argument over security screening, police yesterday nabbed the woman accused of assault.
On the contrary, in support of their own employee, SpiceJet Airlines approached the police calling the incident a "serious case of sexual harassment".
SpiceJet woman employee slaps CISF officer: Top points
Woman stopped at gate: As per reports, an argument took place between the CISF officer and Rani when she was entering the airport along with other staff through the vehicle gate around 4:40 am. She was stopped from entering despite having a valid BCAS-issued airport entry pass.
Reportedly, she was asked to wait for screening and frisking at the nearby entrance for the airline crew as there was no female CISF personnel available at that time.
As per the viral CCTV footage, the CISF officer was then seen speaking to the woman before she suddenly moved two steps towards him and then delivered a slap on his face.
Case of assault registered: Based on a complaint by Assistant Sub Inspector Giriraj Prasad, police registered a case of assault against Anuradha Rani under sections 121 (1) (voluntarily causing hurt to deter public servant from his duty) and 132 (assaulting public servant) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Inquiry underway: According to the CISF officials, a thorough inquiry is being conducted into the incident after CCTV footage showed that the woman hit the uniformed official "despite no provocation".
Allegation of sexual harassment: The airline has approached the local police claiming that their employee was subject to inappropriate language and the CISF officer even asked her to "come and meet him after his duty hours at his home".
SpiceJet's statement: The airline in it's official statement, said "While escorting a catering vehicle at the steel gate, our female security staff member, who had a valid airport entry pass issued by the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), India's civil aviation security regulator, was subjected to inappropriate and unacceptable language by the CISF personnel, including asking her to come and meet him after his duty hours at his home."
"We stand firmly by our employee and are committed to providing her with full support," the SpiceJet spokesperson said.
