Man Who Was Slapped on IndiGo Flight After 'Panic Attack' Goes Missing, Family Claims Phone Unreachable
A distressing incident aboard an IndiGo flight from Mumbai to Kolkata has taken a troubling turn, as the victim of an in-flight assault, Hossain Ahmed Mazumdar, has reportedly gone missing. The 32-year-old gym trainer from Assam’s Cachar district was allegedly slapped by a fellow passenger while suffering a panic attack on Flight 6E-2387 on July 31, 2025. The altercation, captured in a viral video, has sparked widespread outrage, and now his family’s anguish has deepened as they claim Hossain never boarded his connecting flight to Silchar, and his phone remains unreachable. Here’s what we know about the incident and the mystery surrounding his disappearance.
The Incident: A Panic Attack and an Unprovoked Assault
On Thursday, July 31, 2025, Hossain Ahmed Mazumdar, a Mumbai-based gym trainer, was traveling home to Katigorah, Assam, via a connecting flight through Kolkata. According to reports, he suffered a severe panic attack while the plane was taxiing in Mumbai, a condition characterized by sudden, intense fear and physical symptoms like shortness of breath or trembling. As cabin crew members assisted him toward his seat or the exit, a co-passenger, later identified as Hafijul Rahaman, abruptly slapped him without provocation. The shocking moment was recorded by another passenger and has since gone viral on social media, drawing condemnation for the assailant’s actions.
In the video, Hossain appears visibly distressed as two flight attendants escort him. After the slap, crew members and fellow passengers immediately intervened, with one air hostess saying, “Sir, please don’t do this,” and another passenger reprimanding Rahaman, stating, “You have no right to slap him.” Another flyer can be heard saying, “He is having a panic attack, please give him some water.” Rahaman, when questioned, claimed he acted because he was “having a problem” due to Hossain’s distress, a justification that fellow passengers dismissed as unacceptable.
The Aftermath: Hossain Goes Missing
Following the incident, the flight landed in Kolkata, where Rahaman was detained by the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and handed over to the NSCBI Police Station at Kolkata’s airport. He was later released, though IndiGo has banned him from flying on their aircraft and is considering placing him on a no-fly list, pending a review by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). However, the focus has shifted to Hossain, who was supposed to board a connecting flight to Silchar but never arrived.
Hossain’s family, who were waiting for him at Silchar airport, grew alarmed when he didn’t show up. They later identified him in the viral video and tried contacting him, only to find his phone unreachable, reportedly left behind in Mumbai. Zubairul Islam Mazumdar, a relative, told The Times of India, “When we didn’t find him on the Silchar flight, we contacted the local authorities and even went to Udharband police station near the Silchar airport. But we received no concrete information about his whereabouts.” Hossain’s father, Abdul Mannan Mazumdar, who is battling cancer, expressed heartbreak, saying, “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 know where my son is.”
IndiGo’s Response and Lack of Clarity
IndiGo issued a statement on X on August 1, 2025, condemning the incident: “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.” The airline also filed a complaint against Rahaman with Kolkata’s NSCBI Police Station.
However, IndiGo’s statement notably lacks details about Hossain’s condition or whereabouts after the incident. There’s no mention of whether he received medical attention, counseling, or was taken into protective custody by authorities. The family claims they received no communication from IndiGo or airport officials, leaving them in the dark about what happened after the flight landed. This lack of transparency has fueled frustration and raised questions about how airlines handle passengers experiencing mental health crises.
Family’s Anguish and Calls for Action
Hossain’s disappearance has left his family in distress, particularly given his father’s health condition. They have filed a missing person’s complaint at Udharbond Police Station in Assam and informed CISF officials at Silchar airport, but as of August 2 evening, they reported no concrete leads. The family is demanding a thorough investigation, including access to airport CCTV footage and records to trace Hossain’s movements after landing in Kolkata. Social media has amplified their plea, with users expressing outrage over the assault and criticizing the lack of support for a vulnerable passenger. One X post by journalist Rana Ayyub called for Rahaman to be placed on a no-fly list, labeling the incident a “criminal case.”
Questions About Airline Protocols and Mental Health
The incident has sparked a broader conversation about how airlines manage passengers experiencing mental health issues like panic attacks. While IndiGo stated that its crew followed standard operating procedures, the absence of information about post-incident care for Hossain raises concerns. Panic attacks, though distressing, are not uncommon, and experts emphasize the need for compassion and proper intervention rather than violence or neglect. The assault on Hossain underscores a lack of awareness among some passengers, while his subsequent disappearance highlights potential gaps in airline and airport protocols for ensuring passenger safety after such incidents.
Where Is Hossain Ahmed Mazumdar?
As of August 2, 2025, Hossain’s whereabouts remain unknown, deepening the mystery and his family’s despair. The viral video has brought attention to the incident, but it hasn’t provided answers about what happened to him after landing in Kolkata. Was he detained, released, or simply left to navigate the aftermath alone? Did the trauma of the assault or his panic attack influence his actions? Without official updates from IndiGo or authorities, speculation continues to grow.
The family’s plea for answers, coupled with public outcry, has put pressure on IndiGo and law enforcement to act swiftly. For now, Hossain’s loved ones wait anxiously, hoping for news of his safe return. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the need for empathy, accountability, and robust systems to protect passengers in vulnerable situations.
Disclaimer: This article is based on publicly available information from sources including The Times of India, Hindustan Times, India Today, and NDTV. The investigation is ongoing, and details may evolve as new information emerges.
