In a disturbing turn of events that has sparked outrage across India, a Muslim passenger was first slapped mid-flight and then mysteriously went missing, leaving his family in panic and the nation with questions.
Viral Video, Vanished Victim
The incident took place on Indigo Flight 6E-138 flying from Mumbai to Kolkata. During the journey, 32-year-old Hussain Ahmed Majumdar, a resident of Cachar district in Assam, suffered a panic attack. As the cabin crew tried to assist him, another co-passenger suddenly slapped him — a moment that was caught on video and widely circulated on social media.
The man who attacked him reportedly said Hussain was “becoming a problem” for him. Seriously?
This shocking behaviour was caught on camera — and while the assailant was briefly detained after the flight landed in Kolkata, he was soon released. Meanwhile, Hussain quietly exited the airport and vanished — not a call, not a message, nothing. For a full day, no one knew where he was.
Family Left in the Dark
Hussain had been working in Mumbai and had previously flown this route. He was scheduled to continue on to Silchar the next day but never arrived. His family, completely unaware of the mid-air assault, waited for him at Silchar Airport on Friday — but he never turned up. Worried sick, they tried calling him, only to find his phone switched off.
His father, Abdul Mannan Majumdar, lodged a missing persons report when there was still no sign of him by Saturday.
Finally Found — But Not the Same
It wasn’t until much later that the police traced Hussain to Barpeta railway station in Assam. A bit of relief — but the story doesn’t end there. According to officers, Hussain appeared weak and mentally distressed when found. He is now being taken back home.
But what exactly happened between the flight and Barpeta? Why did he vanish without a word? Was it trauma? Fear? Or something else?
Indigo Responds — But Too Little, Too Late?
As the backlash grew online, IndiGo Airlines finally issued a response—they’ve now imposed a ban on the passenger who slapped Hussain, barring him from flying on any of their flights.
But many are questioning: why wasn’t this done immediately? And why was the attacker released so casually, while the victim—already suffering from a health emergency — was left to vanish into thin air?
Incidents like these are not just one-off stories — they raise serious questions about how we treat fellow passengers, especially those who look or act “different.”
As this story unfolds, one can only hope that Hussain gets the medical and emotional support he clearly needs. And more importantly, that accountability follows.
What are your thoughts on this incident? Should airlines do more to protect vulnerable passengers?
