Photo Courtesy: tripuratimes
Agartala: The Tripura Human Rights Commission is demanding answers. Justice Arindam Lodh issued notices to Air India Express and the Director General of Civil Aviation. They must respond to a complaint filed by Agartala-based pilot Captain Partha Bhowmik. The commission wants the airline's CEO and COO to explain the situation by the next hearing on September 2, 2026.
Bhowmik claims he was forced into a training bond with promises of a Kolkata posting and a promotion that never arrived. He alleges he went unpaid for 13 months between October 11, 2023, and June 22, 2026. The airline fired him on that same date. They gave no notice. He says the company withheld his NOC and essential employment papers. This blocked his path to finding new work.
The pilot blames a Group Seniority List from August 2024 for wrecking his career path. Financial stress hit hard. He had to mortgage gold and miss loan payments, triggering recovery proceedings. His 78-year-old mother suffered too. The airline cut medical benefits just days before she hit the intensive care unit on June 26, 2026. The commission reviewed files showing Bhowmik transitioned from Vistara to Air India Express during the Tata Group restructuring. They found his service conditions and insurance coverage suffered after the merger.
Bhowmik wants justice. He seeks a full inquiry into the human rights violations and strict disciplinary action against those responsible. The pilot demands the immediate release of his employment documents and a payout of 3.44 crore rupees. This includes 2.44 crore rupees for outstanding dues and 1 crore rupees for psychological trauma. The commission noted, "Taking a prima facie view that the allegations disclosed issues affecting the complainant's human rights, the commission issued notices to the respondents."
Comments