Woman de-boarded over ‘fit-to-fly’ check, Air India to pay Rs 5 lakh to disabled passenger

An 80% locomotor-disabled woman, Falguni Maheshwari, was de-boarded from an Air India flight from Delhi to Bhuj after cabin crew requested a "fit-to-fly" certificate, causing her significant humiliation and loss of dignity. The Court of the Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities has fined Air India Rs 5 lakh for violating safeguards protecting the rights of persons with disabilities.

The incident occurred after Maheshwari boarded her connecting flight from Delhi to Bhuj, where she was asked to provide the certificate mid-boarding. The court emphasized that accessibility, equality, non-discrimination, dignity, and reasonable accommodation are statutory rights, not concessions or benevolence.