Can airlines ban an MP from travelling on official duty, asks SP MP Naresh Agrawal

NEW DELHI: Can airlines ban any Member of Parliament from travelling for discharge of his official duty?

This question was raised by Naresh Agrawal of Samajwadi Party today in the Rajya Sabha while referring to Shiv Sena MP Ravindra Gaikwad being banned from flying by domestic airlines following his alleged assault on an Air India staffer.

Raising the issue during the Zero Hour, he asked whether the airlines could take such an action even before the MP is found guilty of misconduct.

Gaikwad being put on 'no-fly' list is the probably the first in Indian history as no one has so far been banned from flying for unruly behaviour in India.

Agrawal was not allowed to raise the issue by Deputy Chairman P J Kurien on the ground that it pertained to a member of the other House.