The charge-sheet, dated September 10, refers to an airline ritual of the cabin crew greeting the commander of the flight inside the cockpit. Puri says she greeted her commander, Captain RS Rosha, in the galley.

Puri has been charged, among others clauses of service rules, under one that states: ``Commission of any act subversive of discipline or of good behaviour in the premises of the establishment.''

An inquiry by former general manager (Operations) RN Singh in January had apparently resolved the matter.

Current general manager RK Dutta says there was a delay in the proceedings and the case was never officially closed. ``The file was never closed and there were reminders from various departments regarding the case. We might conduct an inquiry or have another personal hearing,'' Dutta explains.

Thecharge of misconduct relates to an incident that occurred on December 29 last. Puri was the senior most cabin crew member on flight IC 107/404 from Mumbai to Bangalore and then Delhi.

The charge-sheet states: ``It has been reported by commander of flight IC-107 of 29.12.98, Capt. RS Rosha that you (Puri) did not pay attention to his presence and went to the cockpit for briefing before take off.

``You did not extend the normal courtesy of wishing him.''

In her reply to the charge-sheet, Puri says: ``At Bombay airport, I went to the cockpit to wish the commander and co-pilot but the commander was not there. I wished the co-pilot and returned to the galley. We had the foreign minister of Sri Lanka and his wife on board and I was attending to them and the others when, five minutes prior to departure, Capt Rosha arrived in the aircraft and while he was passing through the front galley I greeted him.''

Puri then went in to the cockpit to give the pre-flight clearance, where she claims she wished Roshaagain. ``He started shouting at me and telling me that I had not come in and wished him,'' Puri claims. ``He was rude and asked for the pre-flight clearance to be brought in by another crew member.''

However, in his pilot sector report, Rosha wrote that Puri's behaviour ``was very rude and offending''. This report is being considered as evidence to support the charges against Puri.

``It was a normal report that is filed in case of any problem during the flight,'' says Capt Rosha.

``I am not aware of the proceedings at present.''

Dutta adds: ``Nobody really insists on being greeted in the cockpit, but some sort of decorum has to be maintained. It looks nice.''

The charge-sheet adds: ``It has been further reported that after landing at Bangalore on IC 107, you sought permission from Capt. Rosha to go to flight despatch...

You told AK Bannerjee, MFO on duty at Bangalore that you will not operate IC-404 as Capt Rosha behaved rudely with you, knowing fully well that there were only four crew membersincluding you and you are very well aware that a flight once undertaken has to be completed.''

Puri recounts: ``I broke down after Rosha screamed at me. At Bangalore I went to flight despatch and asked them if they could spare a cabin crew. When they said no, I went back to the aircraft and there is no question of the flight being delayed or tension to the commander because of this as I was back before the passengers started coming in.''

The National Commission of Women has also written to the regional director for a proper inquiry into the case. ``We have written to the regional director of Indian Airlines, asking him to look into the case,'' says Binoo