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New Delhi: On International Women’s Day, an 82-year-old woman, Raj Pasricha, widow of a Lieutenant General, suffered a serious fall at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport after allegedly being denied a pre-booked wheelchair by Air India officials. She is currently under observation in an Intensive Care Unit (ICU), with her family expressing outrage over the airline’s handling of the situation.
The incident came to light when Pasricha’s granddaughter, Parul Kanwar, took to social media platform X to share details of the ordeal. “My grandmother has been in the ICU for two days and the left side of her body is losing strength,” Kanwar posted, condemning Air India for its alleged negligence and lack of empathy.
Sequence of Events
According to Kanwar, upon reaching Terminal 3 for a flight to Bengaluru, the family was left waiting for almost an hour as the promised wheelchair was not provided. As a result, the elderly woman had to walk a significant distance, ultimately collapsing near an airline counter. The fall left her with a bleeding lip, as well as head and nose injuries.
Kanwar further alleged that no airline personnel stepped in to help, and that even a request for first aid was ignored. In a desperate attempt to get assistance, the family approached ground staff of another airline, IndiGo, who reportedly had a free wheelchair but refused to share it.
Following the fall, Pasricha was eventually placed in a wheelchair and allowed to board the plane without a proper medical evaluation. The Air India cabin crew reportedly administered ice packs and alerted the Bengaluru airport for medical assistance upon arrival.
Air India’s Response
Denying the allegations, Air India issued a statement clarifying that the passenger had arrived at the airport later than the recommended two-hour window before departure.
“Due to the unprecedented peak demand at that hour, a wheelchair could not be made available within the 15 minutes that the passenger’s relatives spent waiting for it. The claims of the passenger having waited for an hour for the wheelchair are baseless,” the airline stated.
Labeling the fall as “unfortunate,” Air India claimed that an airport doctor immediately attended to Pasricha and administered first aid. The airline further stated that additional medical attention was offered but was not accepted by the passenger.
“At no point was the wheelchair or any assistance denied to the passenger. Air India’s staff cooperated with the guests throughout their journey,” the airline emphasized.
Ongoing Debate on Passenger Assistance
This incident has reignited debates about the treatment of elderly and disabled passengers in Indian airports. Many netizens have criticized airlines for failing to prioritize customer care, while others have called for stricter enforcement of accessibility regulations.
As Pasricha remains in the ICU, her family continues to seek accountability for what they call a “shocking and inhumane experience.”
Disclaimer: This article is based on reports from the passenger’s family and the airline’s official response. Further investigations may provide additional details on the matter. Readers are advised to verify facts from official sources before forming conclusions.
