SpiceJet crew accuse airline of strip-search at Chennai airport, carrier says it will probe matter

New Delhi: A video showing an angry bunch of SpiceJet air hostesses accusing the airline of strip-searching them at Chennai airport has gone viral, with the airline denying the claims. [caption id=“attachment_2370924” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Representational image. AFP[/caption] The crew alleged that they were searched after de-boarding on the suspicion that they were swindling cash collected from the sale of food and other items onboard. While SpiceJet confirmed that their security teams undertook “random pat-down searches” at few of the stations on the night of 28 March and 29 March as part of security and safety standard operating procedures (SOP), the airline rejected the allegation that the crew was strip-searched. The budget carrier said the allegations regarding deviation from SOPs were being investigated and strict action would be taken if anybody was found guilty. “One of the objectives of this search is to ensure that there is no pilferage of company money/goods, smuggling or any illegal activity that an employee may be lured into. This also ensures security and safety of our passengers, employees and assets. This search is essentially the same as what any passenger goes through at any of the Indian airports,” said a SpiceJet spokesperson. He said the searches were conducted as per the laid down procedures in closed rooms by well-trained employees of the same gender. During the searches on 28 March and 29 March, a few cases of pilferages were detected and appropriate disciplinary action was initiated, the spokesperson added.