Lizard in meal tray: Air India to investigate source of viral photo

A picture of a lizard in the meal tray of a flyer purportedly on one of Air India's flights was doing the rounds on social media and also left the Civil Aviation Minister fuming but the airline strongly denied any such incident saying it was "baseless".

The incident reportedly took place last Thursday in the Air India flight from Delhi to London. "This has reference to a report in the media, including on the social media, that a passenger had found a lizard in the meal tray on board AI-111 (Delhi-London) of 11 June, with photograph attached," the airline said.

Air India has investigated the "incident" and has found it to be false and baseless, the airline said in a statement. No such complaint by any passenger has been received on board the flight or at the Air India office in London, it said.

#Clarification #Denial #Air India would like to clarify that the news on Twitter & elsewhere regarding a "lizard in meal tray" (1/3)

— Air India (@airindiain) June 13, 2015

On board AI 111 DEL-LHR of 11th June, is #false & #baseless. (2/3)

— Air India (@airindiain) June 13, 2015

No such complaint has been received from any passenger on board the flight or at Air India office in LHR. (3/3)

— Air India (@airindiain) June 13, 2015

However, before Air India issued a denial, Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju said the "issue" is serious and Air India was not expected to serve lizard to its passengers. "That's also a serious thing. Air India is not expected to serve lizard neither the cooks are expected to cook lizards," Raju told a TV channel. 

Air India later tweeted that it was investigating the source behind the 'rumour' and assured passengers of food quality.

Air India is #investigating the source of #mischievous propaganda in the "lizard in meal tray" case (1/3)

— Air India (@airindiain) June 13, 2015

While reassuring pax of #Quality #Hygiene #Safety in onboard meal service. (2/3)

— Air India (@airindiain) June 13, 2015

Reputed #5-star caterers will continue to delight pax with food that Air India is reputed for. (3/3)

— Air India (@airindiain) June 13, 2015

With PTI inputs