Rakesh-Dakshina from Madurai, who rented a plane for two hours and got married in the wedding sky. Family members who flew from Madurai to Bangalore after getting married by SpiceJet flight from Bangalore to Madurai. #COVID19India #lockdown @TV9Telugu #weddingrestrictions pic.twitter.com/9nDyn3MM4n
— DONTHU RAMESH (@DonthuRamesh) May 23, 2021
In a video of the event that has gone viral on the internet, the groom is seen tying the mangalsutra, and getting photographed with his new bride. The photographer in one shot encourages them to smile for the camera.
A couple tied the knot on-board a chartered flight from Madurai, Tamil Nadu. Their relatives & guests were on the same flight.
— ANI (@ANI) May 24, 2021
"A SpiceJet chartered flight was booked y'day from Madurai. Airport Authority officials unaware of the mid-air marriage ceremony," says Airport Director pic.twitter.com/wzMCyMKt5m
Others are also seen standing behind the couple and there are also visuals of the inside of the aircraft with people sitting and enjoying the function. Most of them were seen without face masks and not observing Covid-19 protocols.
"A SpiceJet chartered flight was booked yesterday from Madurai. Airport Authority officials were unaware of the mid-air marriage ceremony", informed Madurai Airport Director, S Senthil Valavan.
The aviation regulator DGCA has now initiated investigation into the mid-air wedding ceremony and derostered the SpiceJet crew.
The airline service was asked to provide an explanation of this mass gathering. The couple claimed that all the relatives had undergone the RT-PCR test and their report was negative. However, the collector said that an investigation is underway and appropriate action would be taken.
The photographs and viral videos of the function also reveal that those who attended the mid-air marriage were partially maskless and social distancing rules were ignored as well. As per the videos, the groom Rakesh performed the mangalsutra-tying ritual on board while the bride Dakshina was standing in traditional wedding attire. Their relatives and others were blessing the union from their places.
In social media videos the bride, wearing a saree, was seen bedecked with flowers and jewellery and the groom was seen dressed in traditional south Indian attire.
Tamil Nadu is currently under lockdown till May 31 due to prevailing Covid-19 restrictions.