Naveen jindal – A storm of criticism has engulfed IndiGo Airlines after Sminu Jindal, daughter of industrialist and BJP MP Naveen Jindal, accused the carrier of mishandling her custom‑built wheelchair and returning it “completely bent & unusable” following a flight from Goa to Delhi.
🛫 What Happened
- On October 10, Sminu Jindal was flying on flight 6E 6264 from Goa to Delhi. She says her wheelchair, designed specifically to suit her spinal cord injury, was damaged in transit.
- Her post on X (formerly Twitter) described how the frame was bent, rendering it unusable. She framed this not as a one‑off incident, but symptomatic of the struggles faced by people with disabilities during air travel.
- She appealed to the Civil Aviation Minister, Ram Mohan Naidu, calling for stricter rules, dedicated protected sections in aircraft holds, and better staff training.
🗣 Reactions & Allegations
- Naveen Jindal shared his daughter’s tweet, calling the incident “deeply concerning” and emphasizing that a wheelchair is more than a device—it symbolizes dignity and independence.
- He urged airlines to adopt stronger protocols and implement sensitivity training for staff handling assistive devices.
✈️ IndiGo’s Response
- IndiGo apologized for the inconvenience and said it is reviewing the matter. The airline claimed that its airport staff had offered Sminu an alternate wheelchair and were trying to contact her to resolve the issue.
- The statement read: “We are concerned to learn of your experience and sincerely regret the inconvenience caused … Our airport team had also endeavoured to offer immediate assistance by providing an alternate wheelchair … We remain available to extend any support you may require.
