Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi, March 15: Swati Maliwal, the head of the Delhi Commission for Women, outlined specific recommendations in a letter to the director general of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation on how to handle disorderly passengers and instances of sexual harassment in airports and on aeroplanes.
The panel stated it has taken suo moto notice of both occurrences and demanded increased responsibility from airlines and DGCA in situations of sexual harassment, citing recent examples of intoxicated individuals peeing on a female co-passenger on two Air India flights.
“The Commission has drafted detailed recommendations on amendments that should be made to prevalent guidelines so that cases of sexual harassment and unruly behaviour are dealt with strictly on flights and in airports,” read the letter.
The Commission recommended actions to be implemented to stop and prevent sexual harassment on flights in its thorough report to the DGCA. The proposals include taking action against those who are extremely inebriated, such as banning them from boarding the aircraft, developing methods to deal with such passengers on board, and severely restricting alcohol consumption on flights.
Also, it suggested taking action against anyone engaging in sexual harassment on aeroplanes. A former woman judge will lead an impartial committee established to look into passenger allegations of sexual harassment. These measures include filing a FIR against the offender.
Also, it advised toughening up punishment for such passengers, including extending their ban from flying from 6 months to 2 years, sensitising airline workers, and establishing guidelines for employing restraint devices on harassers if all other measures to stop them on flights prove ineffective.
Thus, it is suggested that a distinct category be created for offences of sexual harassment. Also, the group suggested putting in place warning systems for flights, installing CCTVs in the aircraft, and creating announcements and pamphlets on sexual harassment during flights.
The Commission has also suggested that harsher penalties be applied to airline employees and crew members who do not adhere to a zero tolerance policy for sexual harassment.
Maliwal asked the aviation watchdog to include the panel’s suggestions in the current DGCA regulations and to submit an Action Taken Report within 30 days.
