Disability Advocate Accuses IndiGo of Ruining Custom Wheelchair During Flight

Sminu Jindal, a prominent disability rights advocate and daughter of industrialist-MP Naveen Jindal, accused IndiGo Airlines of mishandling and irreparably damaging her custom-built wheelchair during a flight from Goa to Delhi on October 12, 2025. The incident, which occurred on IndiGo flight 6E 6264, has drawn attention to the systemic challenges faced by passengers with disabilities when traveling by air.

Sminu, who relies on her specialized wheelchair due to a spinal cord injury, was returning from Purple Fest Goa, an event dedicated to promoting dignity and independence for persons with disabilities. Upon landing in Delhi, she discovered her wheelchair—described as a vital symbol of her “mobility, independence, and dignity”—was returned “completely bent and unusable.” Taking to X, she expressed her anguish, stating, “This is not an isolated case. It’s a repeated trauma that thousands of persons with disabilities face when they fly.” She emphasized that a damaged wheelchair frame cannot be repaired, leaving users stranded and stripped of autonomy.

In her impassioned post, Sminu tagged Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu, calling for urgent reforms to ensure airlines handle assistive devices with greater care. “If wheelchairs must go into the aircraft belly, airlines must create a dedicated protected section & ensure staff are properly trained and sensitized,” she wrote, underscoring that the safety of such devices is not optional but “mandatory” for those whose lives depend on them.

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Naveen Jindal, a Lok Sabha MP from Kurukshetra, amplified his daughter’s plea, condemning IndiGo’s negligence as reflective of broader systemic failures. “A wheelchair is not just mobility—it represents dignity and independence,” he posted on X. “Airlines must handle assistive devices with utmost care and respect. It’s time for stronger protocols and better sensitivity training.” His remarks have fueled public outrage, with many on social media echoing the call for accountability and stricter guidelines.

IndiGo responded with an apology, stating they are investigating the incident and remain “committed to ensuring a seamless and comfortable journey” for all passengers. The airline noted that their airport staff provided Sminu with an alternative wheelchair and attempted to contact her for further assistance, though they were unable to reach her. “We understand the importance of an assistive device and assure you that we remain available to extend any support,” their statement read.

The incident has sparked a broader conversation about the treatment of passengers with disabilities in India’s aviation sector, with advocates demanding mandatory training for airline staff and dedicated storage solutions for assistive devices. As the Jindals push for change, the nation watches whether this high-profile case will lead to meaningful reforms or remain another unresolved grievance for the disability community.

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