An elderly couple from Mumbai, Pankaj and Alka Khara is seeking justice after a series of issues during their trip to San Francisco. Their ordeal began on May 24, when their Air India flight was grounded for six hours due to technical problems. Passengers were left on a hot, non-air-conditioned plane before the flight was eventually cancelled.

Pankaj Khara told mid-day, “My wife, Alka, and I were travelling for our daughter’s pregnancy. Both of us have serious health issues—osteoarthritis and back problems. My wife is in a wheelchair, and we were advised not to carry luggage. After the flight was cancelled, we had to manage our bags while climbing down a mobile ladder. At San Francisco airport I even had to push my wife’s wheelchair myself due to a shortage of staff. The cabin crew did their best, but their support was limited.” Khara added, “Our back problems worsened, making us more of a burden on our daughter instead of a help to her.”