New Delhi: Air India Express has grounded an off-duty pilot following allegations that he physically assaulted a passenger during a dispute over jumping a queue at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport.
The airline grounded Capt. Virender Sejwal from all official duties after passenger Ankit Dewan posted photographs on X showing blood on his face and alleged he was punched and kicked during an altercation at Terminal 1.
In his post on Friday, Dewan said he was forced to sign a letter agreeing not to pursue the matter further, or risk missing his flight and losing Rs 1.2 lakh spent on holiday bookings. The post has since gained traction online, prompting responses from the airline and authorities.
Air India Express responded on the post just after Saturday midnight, extending its “profound regret” for Dewan’s experience.
“We extend our heartfelt empathy for the distress it has caused, and strongly condemn such behaviour. The concerned employee has been removed from official duties with immediate effect, and appropriate action will be taken pending thorough investigation,” it said, adding that the airline will cooperate fully with law enforcement agencies.
The incident also came to the attention of the civil aviation ministry, which directed Air India Express to ground the pilot and ordered a probe.
“A formal enquiry has been ordered. Detailed reports have been sought from BCAS (Bureau of Civil Aviation Security) and CISF (Central Industrial Security Force),” the ministry said in another response to Dewan’s post on X.
CISF is responsible for airport security.
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What had happened?
According to Dewan’s account, he and his family—including a 4-month-old baby in a stroller—were directed by airport staff to use the security check meant for staff and persons with reduced mobility (PRM).
Sejwal, who was travelling to Bengaluru, allegedly cut ahead in the queue.
When confronted, the pilot said the lane was meant for staff and asked Dewan if he was “anpadh (illiterate)”, triggering a verbal argument that escalated into the alleged assault, the passenger wrote.
Dewan shared images that show a man with blood on his shirt as well. He said the man in the photo was Capt Sejwal.
Dewan said his 7-year-old daughter, who witnessed the incident, was left in “deep shock and trauma”. Both men were trying to catch a SpiceJet flight, he said.
In his post tagging the Delhi airport and Delhi Police, Dewan questioned passenger safety and alleged serious mismanagement by airport staff.
“Why can’t I file a complaint after coming back? Must I sacrifice my money too, to seek justice? Will the CCTV footage disappear in the next two days till I make it back to Delhi,” he asked.
Delhi Police, in response to Dewan’s post, said Saturday that “no such matter” was disclosed to them by either the passenger or the airline. “The matter has come to the knowledge of the police through a social media post. Whenever a written complaint is received by the victim in this regard, appropriate legal action will be taken,” police wrote.
Delhi airport, too, assured Dewan that formal cognisance of the matter was taken and concerned authorities were taking action.
SpiceJet has not publicly reacted to the incident so far.
(Edited by Prerna Madan)
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