Smoked In "Dummy" Plane: Influencer After Airline Shared Flight Number

However, Bobby Kataria's claim contradicts SpiceJet's statement wherein it had confirmed the smoking incident having taken place in one of its aircraft in January this year.

Social media influencer Bobby Kataria, facing a police case for smoking inside a SpiceJet aircraft, has claimed that it was a dummy aircraft in which he was seen lighting a cigarette. However, his claim contradicts the airline's statement wherein it had confirmed the incident having taken place in one of its aircraft in January this year.

"The video in which I was seen smoking was a dummy plane and that was a part of my shooting in Dubai. Taking lighter inside the plane is not allowed," said the social media influencer in his clarification, according to news agency ANI.

Mr Kataria, a Gurgaon resident who has over 6.30 lakh followers, was seen in a video lighting a cigarette and taking a couple of puffs while lying down on the aircraft seat. The video was widely shared on the social media and many users flagged it to Union Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia. The minister said yesterday that there will be "no tolerance towards such hazardous behaviour."

In a statement yesterday, a SpiceJet spokesperson said the matter had been investigated thoroughly in January and a complaint had been filed with the Gurgaon Police.