BRS leader Praveen Kumar wins case against Air India over missed flight
Hyderabad: BRS leader and former IPS officer RS Praveen Kumar has received compensation of over one lakh rupees from Air India. This follows a complaint he filed against the airline in 2020 after it departed from Pune without him, despite possessing a valid boarding pass. The consumer forum passed its judgment in 2022, with the funds being disbursed to Kumar on June 26 (Wednesday).
The former IPS officer took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to share his victory against the airline, describing the incident as a harrowing experience. Kumar recounted that his scheduled flight to Hyderabad, listed for departure at 11:40 PM according to the Air India website, prompted him to arrive at the airport by 10:40 PM. However, a sudden decision by the station manager to advance the flight’s departure led to his missing it, despite 53 passengers having already boarded. Kumar noted the lack of empathy from the station manager, who proceeded with the early departure without notification.
“I had to attend an important meeting in Hyderabad the next day and would have missed it, but for a SpiceJet flight with a vacant seat, I reached home at 2 AM!!!” Kumar said on X.
Happy to share with you that I have won a case over @airindia for taking off without having me on board from Pune in spite of having a valid boarding pass in 2020.
It was truly a harrowing experience.
My flight to Hyderabad was supposed to depart at 2340 hours according to Air…— Dr.RS Praveen Kumar (@RSPraveenSwaero) June 26, 2024
Seeking damages from Air India initially met with denial, compelling Kumar to seek recourse through the local consumer court with the assistance of advocate P. Suresh Kumar. The court dismissed Air India’s defenses and awarded Kumar compensation amounting to Rs 1.05 lakhs.
In response to his victory, Kumar announced his intention to utilize the compensation to support the strengthening of advocate Suresh Kumar’s office. He emphasized a broader goal of aiding citizens who encounter challenges with large corporate entities, including airports and railway stations, which he alleges impose substantial hidden costs. Kumar also shared advocate Suresh Kumar’s contact information for those seeking assistance.
Kumar believes this shows that even big companies can be held accountable if people are determined. He wants others to keep fighting for justice.