In a shocking turn of events, a flight attendant aboard an IndiGo flight has been accused of stealing a gold necklace from a five-year-old child during a journey from Thiruvananthapuram to Bengaluru. This incident has sparked a full investigation by the Bengaluru Police, following a formal complaint filed by the child’s mother, Priyanka Mukherjee. The incident occurred during a domestic flight on April 1, 2025, and has since garnered significant attention from the media and authorities alike.
The Incident: What Happened Onboard?
Priyanka Mukherjee, who is married to an ISRO scientist, was flying with her two daughters—aged five and two—on a connecting flight from Thiruvananthapuram to Kolkata, with a stopover in Bengaluru. During the flight, her children started crying after a quarrel. In an attempt to calm the situation, a cabin crew member offered to take the older child, the five-year-old, on a short walk inside the plane, while Priyanka attended to her younger daughter.
A #flight attendant, was accused of stealing a #gold necklace from a five-year-old passenger during an #IndiGo flight. The child's mother, reported the incident to police and authorities.
— The Times Of India (@timesofindia) April 4, 2025
More details 🔗https://t.co/OKftDNycu6 pic.twitter.com/8eYhNfk90D
Once the flight began its descent into Kempegowda International Airport (KIA), the older child was returned to her seat. It was only then that Priyanka noticed that her daughter’s gold necklace, weighing approximately 20 grams, had gone missing. The necklace was a prized possession, and its loss was particularly distressing for the family.
Priyanka immediately raised the issue with the cabin crew member who had taken her daughter for a walk. However, the staff member denied any involvement in the matter, stating that she had no knowledge of the missing necklace.
The Delay in Action and Lack of Clear Response
Following the flight’s landing in Bengaluru, Priyanka took her complaint to the IndiGo airline, the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), and the airport authorities. Despite her attempts, Priyanka reported that she received no clear response for several hours after landing. Airport officials told her that since the incident occurred during the flight, it was a matter that fell under the jurisdiction of both the airline and the police.
Priyanka tried to file an official complaint but faced delays in the process. She explained that the police were unable to directly speak to the flight attendant, as the airline had stated that the crew member was denying the allegations. Furthermore, Priyanka claimed that the airline refused to provide crew photographs or any CCTV footage from the cabin that could have helped identify the staff member involved. This added to her frustration and made it more difficult to resolve the situation.
Video Evidence: Priyanka’s Proof of Necklace
In an attempt to bolster her claims, Priyanka pointed out that she had taken a video during the flight, showing her daughter eating a cake. The video clearly showed her daughter wearing the necklace, providing crucial evidence that the necklace was indeed present before the child was taken for a walk by the cabin crew member.
Despite these efforts, the family was faced with further challenges. Priyanka’s husband had to travel from Thiruvananthapuram to Bengaluru to help escalate the matter. The family was forced to stay overnight at the airport, missing their original connection to Kolkata, and eventually boarded a different flight. This added inconvenience further exacerbated the stress of an already upsetting situation.
Bengaluru Police Launch Investigation
The Bengaluru Police have since launched an official investigation into the matter, registering a case based on Priyanka’s complaint. Senior police officials have assured the family and the public that appropriate actions will be taken based on the findings of the investigation.
A police official stated, “We are investigating the matter thoroughly and will ensure that the issue is addressed with due seriousness. If any violations are found, appropriate action will follow.”
The police are expected to question the cabin crew member involved and analyze all available evidence to determine what transpired during the flight.
IndiGo’s Response to the Allegations
In response to the serious allegations, IndiGo Airlines issued a statement acknowledging the issue. The airline assured that it was taking the matter very seriously and was fully cooperating with the relevant authorities to carry out the investigation.
“We are aware of a recent incident involving a staff member on flight 6E 661 from Thiruvananthapuram to Bengaluru, regarding a concern raised by our customer. We take such matters extremely seriously and are providing full support and cooperation to the relevant authorities in carrying out the investigations,” IndiGo said in a statement.
IndiGo’s response highlights their commitment to resolving the issue, but it also underscores the need for further inquiry to establish whether any wrongdoings occurred during the flight.
The Impact of Allegations on IndiGo’s Reputation
This incident comes at a time when IndiGo Airlines is one of the most prominent low-cost carriers in India. Allegations of theft by a flight attendant could severely affect the airline’s reputation if proven true. Customers rely on airlines for safe, secure, and trustworthy travel experiences, and an accusation of this nature raises concerns about the behavior and trustworthiness of the airline’s staff.
Such incidents, if not addressed properly, can damage an airline’s public image, leading to a loss of customer confidence. Therefore, IndiGo will need to handle this matter with transparency and thoroughness to reassure passengers that such incidents are rare and will not be tolerated.
Conclusion: What’s Next for the Mukherjee Family?
As the investigation into the allegations continues, the Mukherjee family remains hopeful for a swift resolution. The missing gold necklace is not just a valuable item; it represents a deeply personal loss for Priyanka’s young daughter. While the family is facing delays and inconvenience, they are determined to ensure that justice is served.
For now, all eyes are on the Bengaluru Police as they investigate the flight attendant’s alleged involvement in the theft. The outcome of this investigation will determine the next steps for both the airline and the concerned flight attendant, and possibly set a precedent for how such incidents are handled in the future.
