Anuradha Rani, a SpiceJet employee, was arrested on July 11 for slapping Giriraj Prasad, a male assistant sub inspector, during security checks at Jaipur airport. The incident was recorded on an airport CCTV camera.
Anuradha was asked to go through airline crew screening at a nearby entrance, where no female CISF employees were present.
The assistant sub inspector then requested a female colleague to do the security check, but an altercation had already escalated by that time, with the female employee slapping the assistant sub inspector, according to Jaipur airport station house officer Ram Lal.
"Anuradha Rani was stopped by assistant sub inspector Giriraj Prasad for not having the authorization to enter via a gate when she was entering the airport at 4 am with other staff members," said Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) officials.
According to a SpiceJet spokesperson, the employee had a valid airport entry pass. The company further claims that the female employee was subjected to inappropriate and unacceptable language by the CISF personnel, including asking her to come and meet him after his duty hours at his home.
"An unfortunate incident occurred on July 11 at Jaipur Airport involving a SpiceJet female security staff member and male CISF personnel. While escorting a catering vehicle at the steel gate, our female security staff member, who had a valid airport entry pass issued by India's civil aviation security regulator, the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), was subjected to inappropriate and unacceptable language by CISF personnel, including offering to meet him at his home after his duty hours," said a SpiceJet spokesperson.
"SpiceJet is pursuing immediate legal action in this serious incidence of sexual harassment against a female employee and has reached out to local authorities. We stand firmly by our employee and are committed to giving her full support," the spokesperson added.
The CISF refuted the accusations, stating that the officer was merely "executing his duties." After a complaint from the CISF, a case was later registered at the Airport Police Station.
Under articles 121 (1) (voluntarily causing pain to deter a public servant from his duty) and 132 (assaulting a public servant) of Bharat Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), police have registered a case against the female employee.
The police claimed that they were looking into both sides' accusations.
CISF Commandant Narpat Singh denied SpiceJet's claims. "The officer displayed no inappropriate behavior. He was doing his job. We have filed a complaint against the accused for slapping an on-duty official, and the rest of the situation will be handled according to protocol," he said.
"The woman has been arrested, and her statement is being taken. The woman has also lodged a complaint. We are checking the facts, and then the proper course of action will be taken,” said Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Kavendra Singh.
