Assam Man Missing After Mid-Air Assault on IndiGo Flight Sparks Outrage

By Budding Forensic Expert | Published August 2, 2025

A disturbing incident aboard an IndiGo flight from Mumbai to Kolkata on July 31, 2025, has captured widespread attention after a viral video surfaced showing a passenger, Hussain Ahmed Mazumdar, allegedly being slapped by a co-passenger during a panic attack. The 32-year-old from Katigorah in Assam’s Cachar district has since gone missing, raising serious concerns about passenger safety, airline protocols, and his whereabouts.

The Incident Unfolds

Hussain Ahmed Mazumdar, a gym trainer based in Mumbai, was traveling to his hometown in Katigorah via a connecting flight through Kolkata on IndiGo Flight 6E-2387. According to eyewitness accounts, Mazumdar appeared visibly distressed mid-flight, pacing the aisle and struggling to breathe, symptoms consistent with a panic attack. Cabin crew members were assisting him when a co-passenger, later identified as Hafijul Rahaman, allegedly slapped him without provocation. The incident, captured on video by another passenger, shows Mazumdar breaking down in tears as crew members and fellow passengers intervened to de-escalate the situation.

Video footage of the incident on IndiGo Flight 6E-2387, showing the alleged assault on Hussain Ahmed Mazumdar (Source: X).

“The video shows a shaken Hussain crying while passengers try to console him. Sources close to his family later revealed it was his first time flying, and he was likely ‘a little terrified.’”
— The Assam Tribune

The video, which quickly went viral on social media, has sparked outrage over the assault and raised questions about the handling of passengers experiencing mental health crises on flights. Other passengers condemned the act, with one reportedly protesting the violence during the incident.

IndiGo’s Response and Actions

IndiGo Airlines promptly responded to the incident, confirming that the assailant, Hafijul Rahaman, was detained by the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) upon landing at Kolkata’s Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport. The airline issued a statement on August 1, 2025, condemning the behavior:

“We are aware of an incident involving a physical altercation on board one of our flights. Such unruly behaviour is completely unacceptable and we strongly condemn any actions that compromise the safety and dignity of our passengers and crew. Our crew acted in accordance with established Standard Operating Procedures. The individual involved was identified as unruly and handed over to security authorities upon arrival. All appropriate regulatory agencies have been duly informed, in line with protocol.”
— IndiGo Airlines

On August 2, IndiGo announced that Hafijul Rahaman has been indefinitely banned from flying on any of its flights, citing its commitment to fostering a safe and respectful environment. The airline also filed a complaint with Kolkata’s NSCBI Police Station, and legal proceedings have been initiated against the assailant.

Mazumdar’s Disappearance

Adding a troubling layer to the incident, Mazumdar failed to board his connecting flight from Kolkata to Silchar, and his family has been unable to contact him since. His relatives, who were waiting at Silchar’s Kumbhirgram Airport, grew alarmed when he did not arrive as scheduled on August 1. According to his father, Abdul Mannan Mazumdar, who is battling cancer, Hussain had lost his phone in Mumbai and planned to purchase a new one upon reaching home, making communication attempts futile.

Zubairul Islam Mazumdar, a relative, expressed frustration over the lack of information: “When we didn’t find him on the Silchar flight, we contacted the local authorities and even went to Udharbond police station near the Silchar airport. But we received no concrete information about his whereabouts.” The family has lodged a missing person complaint at Udharbond Police Station and approached CISF officials, but they claim neither IndiGo nor airport authorities have provided clarity on Hussain’s status.

Later reports from The Assam Tribune indicate that Mazumdar was found in CISF custody at Kolkata Airport, having missed his connecting flight due to the resolution process following the incident. Cachar Superintendent of Police Numal Mahatta confirmed that the situation between Mazumdar and Rahaman was resolved amicably, but both passengers missed their onward flights. However, Mazumdar’s family reported that his phone remained unreachable, and police suggested that, as a first-time flyer, he may have misplaced it during the ordeal.

Public and Official Reactions

The viral video has ignited widespread debate on social media about passenger safety, mental health awareness, and airline protocols. Some posts on X initially misattributed the assault to religious bias, but it was later clarified that both Mazumdar and Rahaman share the same religious background, highlighting concerns about misinformation. Local leaders and activists in Assam have called for a thorough investigation, questioning whether authorities ensured Mazumdar’s safety post-incident and why his whereabouts were not promptly communicated to his family.

Hussain’s father made an emotional appeal: “He was working hard in Mumbai to support us and was finally coming home. I saw the video this morning, and now I don’t even know where my son is.” The family has urged Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and West Bengal authorities to trace Mazumdar and ensure his safety.

Broader Implications

The incident has prompted discussions about how airlines handle passengers experiencing mental health issues, such as panic attacks, and the adequacy of post-incident protocols. Aviation safety experts have emphasized the need for better training for cabin crew to manage such situations and for improved systems to track passengers after disruptive events. The lack of immediate communication with Mazumdar’s family has also raised questions about accountability and coordination between airlines and airport authorities.

As the investigation continues, Mazumdar’s family and the public await answers about his safety and the circumstances surrounding his disappearance. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the challenges in ensuring passenger well-being and the impact of viral incidents on public discourse.

References

Assam Tribune. (2025, August 2). Silchar flyer vanishes after mid-air slap on IndiGo flight, traced to CISF custody. The Assam Tribune. https://www.assamtribune.com

Hindustan Times. (2025, August 2). Assam man missing after mid-air assault on Mumbai-Kolkata IndiGo flight, says family. Hindustan Times. https://www.hindustantimes.com

IndiGo Airlines. (2025, August 1). Statement on Mumbai-Kolkata flight incident [Social media post]. Retrieved from X.

Moneycontrol. (2025, August 2). IndiGo bars man who assaulted co-flyer mid-air from all flights indefinitely. Moneycontrol. https://www.moneycontrol.com

Times of India. (2025, August 2). Slapped during 'panic attack' on Mumbai-Kolkata IndiGo flight, man goes missing; family demands answers. Times of India. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com

IndiGo Assam Passenger Safety Mental Health Viral Video