I don’t think there would be a person who wouldn’t know that smoking or carrying a lighter inside a flight is a punishable offense. An army of security personnel has also been recruited inside the airport premises to ensure that no one breaks this rule.
However, despite the strict checking, a man successfully sneaked in a lighter inside a flight. Not just this, he had the audacity to light a cigarette inside a flight with passengers and even record a video doing so.
The video of the ‘social media influencer’ identified as Bobby Katariya smoking a cigarette inside the flight has now gone viral.
इस देश में एयरपोर्ट पर सुरक्षा का हाल ये है । @AmitShah जी @AmitShah जी ये व्यक्ति सरेआम देश के क़ानून की धज्जियाँ उड़ा रहा है ।कितनी चूक है सुरक्षा में ये कारनामा । pic.twitter.com/JybE1EnGJh
— Umesh Kumar (@Umeshnni) August 10, 2022
In his defense, Katariya said that the video is from a foreign land and not in India.
अब इसकी सफ़ाई भी सुन लो । pic.twitter.com/NhXg935FKA
— Umesh Kumar (@Umeshnni) August 11, 2022
The internet was appalled after seeing him show off this punishable act. Some also raised concerns over airport security.
Disgraceful https://t.co/nbiwclSDLl
— Dr Swapnil Punekar (@DrSwapnilBorade) August 11, 2022
This person is exploiting rules in blatant way . He must be booked & bared from travelling in any flight further . @DGCAIndia https://t.co/0o23kclZ2n
— Raj Srivastava (@rsrivastav_23) August 11, 2022
Please take a note if its true @JM_Scindia @DGCAIndia .Serious concern. https://t.co/NOOHNKXQ77
— Tusshar Mohapatra O+ (@SaiTusharM) August 11, 2022
He has to be arrested, put on No Flying List permanently@JM_Scindia @Gen_VKSingh @MoCA_GoI https://t.co/2SsHHPtzhP
— Anurag Kejriwal (@anuragkejriwal8) August 11, 2022
He is risking the health and lives of all in the flight. He should be punished as per the law and his punishment should be a lesson to all those who smoke in public places. https://t.co/uBMrWeOFWB
— Celebrating Life Tobacco and Drugs Free (@cltdfkar) August 11, 2022
Indian airlines habitual of experiencing tech glitches now doing well in serious security lapses. @JM_Scindia @BoeingAirplanes @AAI_Official https://t.co/MOK8di8Piw
— Tillu Yadav (@tillusci) August 11, 2022
this is disgusting complete security lapse of Indian Airport @JM_Scindia sir he should be banned to enter at Airport @AmitShah sir take neccesary action against Airport Authority who alloed him or who didn check his cigrt n matchbox https://t.co/LYzhSvFKCV
— Amitt Mishra (@akm1255) August 11, 2022
Such disgusting BJP goons don’t get punished for anything. https://t.co/joFR8SUqrq
— Sri Krishna 🌈 (@srikri_a) August 11, 2022
A tight slap on security 😡 https://t.co/ZVlRmrqFE7
— Saumitra Mohanty🇮🇳 (@saumitramohanty) August 11, 2022
According to Hindustan Times, the video dates back to earlier this year when he was on a Dubai-Delhi Spicejet flight. When he was caught in the act, the Indian budget airline put him on its no-flying list for 15 days, in February.
Reacting to the old video that now went viral, Union Minister for Civil Aviation & Steel, Jyotiraditya M. Scindia said that there will be no tolerance for such hazardous behavior.
Investigating it. There will be no tolerance towards such hazardous behaviour.
— Jyotiraditya M. Scindia (@JM_Scindia) August 11, 2022
Even though the airline said that it was an old video and barred him from taking a flight for 15 days, his action is worth all the criticism. This also calls for the airport authorities to tighten their security.