Hijacked Indian Flight 'IC 814': Rupin Katyal's Widow, Rachna Received Rs. 8 Lakh As Compensation

Rachna Katyal, a 21-year-old young woman, got married to a Gurgaon-based well-educated, Rupin Katyal on December 3, 1999. However, within a span of a month, her married life came to a devasting end when she was returning from her honeymoon. Rupin and Rachna were honeymooning in Kathmandu, Nepal, and while they were returning from Indian Airlines, 'IC 814' was hijacked by five Pakistani terrorists.

Rachna Katyal lost her husband, Rupin Katyal, during the first day of the hijack of Indian Airlines, IC 814 in 1999

The ordeal is still afresh in the hearts and minds of countless Indians and the passengers who were onboard. However, it was Rachna Katyal whose entire world crashed with the hijacking of the flight. The hijacker, to pressurise the Indian Government, killed Rupin Katyal, who was just 25 years old, and with it came the end of Rachna Katyal's 21-day married life.

Rachna Katyal received a whopping amount of Rs. 9 lakh from the airlines after the brutal killing of her husband, Rupin Katyal

While no amount of money can be enough to fill the pain of losing her husband, Rupin, the airlines did their best to support Rachna financially. The 21-year-old was a graduate of Rohtak University. A year after her husband, Rupin's horrendous killing by the terrorist on flight IC 814, Rachna gave her first interview with Rediff. She revealed that Indian Airlines gave her Rs. 9 lakh, which is the compensation decided under the Warsaw pact. 

Rachna added that she is not dependent on her in-laws financially or doesn't need any help. But her father-in-law and mother-in-law have been with her emotionally and have always opened their heart and homes to her. She was quoted as saying:

"As I have already said, I have no need for any financial assistance. I have already received Rs 9,00,000 from Indian Airlines, which is the compensation decided under the Warsaw pact. My in-laws have given me emotional security and have opened their hearts and their home to me."

Rachna's father-in-law approached Indian Airlines on behalf of her for a job

It is said that pain unites people, and what the Katyal family lost was irreplaceable and with lifelong pain, but the family was adamant about not ruining the life of Rachna, who was just 21 years old at the time of the horrific hijack of the Indian flight, IC 814. Talking about that phase of her life, Rachna shared that it was her father-in-law and mother-in-law who made the decision to rebuild her life. 

Rachna's father-in-law approached Indian Airlines and asked them to consider employing her in their company. Rachna, who was a graduate of Rohtak University, and was able to secure a job in the airlines. Her work helped her get back on in life and gave her the motive to restart her life for the better. Rachna shared: 

"Both mummy and papa (that is what I call Rupan's parents) want me to study as much as I can. Mummy takes care of all the household responsibilities so I don't have to worry about anything. I too am very keen to become a career person. Ever since I have started working, I feel I have changed immensely. I am much more confident and outgoing as a person. I feel my life once again has a purpose."

Let us inform you that Rupin Katyal was the only person who was murdered on the hijacked flight, IC 814, on the very first day of the hijack. It is also the longest and last hijack in the history of India. 

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