Mumbai-based entrepreneur Rhea Chaterji, co-founder of Safegold, shared a deeply disturbing incident that occurred on an IndiGo flight on August 8, 2025. While using the forward lavatory before takeoff, Chaterji alleged that the aircraft’s co-pilot forcibly opened the locked door, invading her privacy.
She wrote in a now-viral LinkedIn post, “I locked the door and, once seated, heard a knock, which I replied to. Shortly after, there was another knock, which I replied to more loudly. Before I’d even fully spoken, the door was forcibly opened, and a male crew member was gazing directly at me while I was in a vulnerable state. He simply said ‘oh’ and shut the door.” She described the experience as leaving her “shocked and utterly violated.”
Passenger’s Account and IndiGo’s Response
Chaterji’s post highlights not only the traumatic event but also the response she received from the airline staff, which she found deeply disappointing. “To make matters worse, the female flight attendants then tried to downplay the incident, saying they were sorry for the ‘inconvenience’ and were sure ‘he hadn’t seen anything,’ ” she wrote.
Despite her repeated requests for space, she said the crew continued minimising her experience. She was also instructed to meet the Captain and First Officer in the cockpit, a demand that increased her anxiety given the circumstances.
Following the incident, she reached out to IndiGo’s leadership but criticised their handling, saying, “IndiGo’s idea of making this right was a few calls repeating this was an inconvenience and an email paying lip service full of corporate jargon, saying the individual conveyed ‘profound remorse.’
Not once was this remorse or regret conveyed directly.” She clarified that her post was not for compensation but to raise awareness, especially among women and those travelling with children. Meanwhile, IndiGo issued a public apology, stating:
“Ms Chaterji, we profoundly apologise once again for the experience you went through due to an inadvertent mistake by one of our crew. Please be assured that your feedback has been taken with utmost seriousness. At IndiGo, safety, dignity, and comfort of our customers remain our highest priority. We assure you that the crew has been counselled and sensitised, and we are reinforcing training to ensure such incidents are never repeated.”
Wider Concerns Over Passenger Safety and Privacy
This incident has sparked wider concerns about the professionalism of airline staff, especially in handling sensitive situations involving passengers’ privacy. Aviation experts point out that aircraft lavatories have clear occupancy indicators, and any breach, especially intentional, is unacceptable.
The initial airline response, which framed the violation as an “inconvenience,” has been heavily criticised on social media, sparking calls for better training and stricter protocols for senior crew members. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has taken note and requested a detailed report, signalling a push for better accountability in the sector.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
At The Logical Indian, we believe privacy and dignity are fundamental rights that must be upheld tirelessly in all public spaces, especially where travellers already feel vulnerable.
While IndiGo’s acknowledgment and promises of improved training are positive steps, the airline industry must build cultures grounded in empathy, responsibility, and respect. For passengers like Chaterji, an apology is only meaningful when accompanied by genuine actions that prevent recurrence.
This incident is a stark reminder that systems must evolve to prioritise safety and kindness in equal measure.
