Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi
New Delhi, Dec 21: An Air India Express pilot, accused of assaulting a passenger following a dispute over queue-jumping at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport, has denied the allegations and instead claimed that he was subjected to verbal abuse, casteist remarks and threats against his family.
The airline has suspended the pilot, Captain Virender Sejwal, and announced that an external inquiry committee will be constituted next week to investigate the incident. The Ministry of Civil Aviation has also taken serious note of the matter and directed the airline to ground the pilot with immediate effect.
The controversy surfaced after passenger Ankit Dewan shared his version of events on social media, along with photographs showing blood on his face, alleging that he was assaulted during a heated argument at the airport. He also shared an image of Captain Sejwal, identifying him as the other party involved in the scuffle.
Responding to the allegations, a law firm issued a statement on behalf of Captain Sejwal, asserting that the incident was a personal dispute between two passengers and had no connection with his professional duties or employer.
“Capt. Virender Sejwal was travelling as a passenger and was not on flight duty. The incident was purely personal and unrelated to his professional responsibilities,” the statement said, criticising what it described as a “one-sided and incomplete misrepresentation of facts” circulating on social and news media.
According to the pilot’s version, Dewan allegedly initiated the confrontation by verbally abusing him without provocation and continued using abusive, degrading and threatening language, including casteist remarks and threats against female members of his family, even after being asked to stop.
“The situation escalated into a physical altercation in which Capt. Sejwal also sustained injuries. CISF personnel intervened promptly and repeatedly asked Mr. Dewan to calm down, but he continued his misconduct in their presence,” the statement added.
Dewan, however, claimed the altercation began when he was travelling with his family, including his four-month-old daughter in a stroller, and was directed by airport staff to use a staff and PRM (Persons with Reduced Mobility) security check queue. He alleged that Captain Sejwal objected to his presence there and made derogatory remarks, leading to a verbal scuffle.
He further alleged that he was “forced” to sign a letter stating that he would not pursue the matter further, claiming he was left with no choice as missing his flight would have resulted in significant financial losses.
Rejecting this claim, the pilot’s statement said both parties voluntarily signed a statement in the presence of CISF officials confirming that they did not wish to pursue legal action. It also cited CISF’s clarification on social media that their personnel acted promptly and offered both parties the option to lodge formal complaints, which was declined voluntarily.
Captain Sejwal also objected to the incident being linked to Air India Express, stating that attempts to associate the airline with the matter were unwarranted and aimed at sensationalising an otherwise personal dispute.
Meanwhile, Air India Express, in a statement, said it has issued a show-cause notice to the pilot and removed him from official duties pending investigation. The Tata Group-owned airline said it would set up an external inquiry panel under labour laws, as pilots fall under the workmen category.
“We unequivocally condemn such behaviour. Appropriate disciplinary action will be initiated based on the findings of the inquiry,” the airline said, adding that it had also reached out to the passenger involved.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation confirmed that a formal enquiry has been ordered and detailed reports have been sought from the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) and the CISF.