'Cutting the queue': AI Express grounds pilot over assault on passenger at Delhi airport; airline orders inquiry

NEW DELHI: Air India Express grounded a senior pilot rostered for duty on Friday after he allegedly assaulted a passenger in front of his family at Delhi airport's T1 over the latter being allowed to use a security-check lane where aircraft crew and other staff supposedly get priority.

Passenger Ankit Dewan accused Captain Virender Sejwal, en route to Bengaluru by IndiGo to join duty, of leaving him with a bloodied face when he called him out for allegedly "cutting the queue". He said the pilot retorted that the lane was meant for staff and asked him if he was "anpadh" (illiterate), triggering what was initially a verbal altercation.

Also read: 'Are you anpadh': Verbal argument at Delhi airport escalates into physical assault by AIX pilot; how events unfolded




Sources said Sejwal, seen in a blood-smeared white shirt in pictures posted by Dewan on his X handle, allegedly struck the passenger when the latter used "foul language for his ailing mother."

Security personnel intervened and the pilot flew to Bengaluru, but was barred from operating the flight he was to pilot from there. AI Express issued a statement later that Sejwal had been grounded pending an inquiry.

Dewan, who describes himself as a "credit card & miles enthusiast" in his bio on X, posted on Friday night that he was to board a SpiceJet flight with his wife, daughter and an infant when the fracas took place.

The passenger said airport staff guided him and his family to that security-check "because we had a 4-month-old baby in a stroller". Dewan wrote that he had to "see a doctor" on reaching his destination and that his "seven-year-old daughter, who saw her father get assaulted brutally, is still traumatised & scared".

"I have no clue how DGCA and Air India Express can allow such pilots to fly. If they can't keep their cool in a scuffle, can they be trusted with the lives of hundreds of people in the sky? How can Delhi airport get away with such mismanagement, combining staff entry with passengers carrying infants, creating chaos at a sensitive security area? I thought airports were safe places," he said.

Dewan claimed he was forced to write a letter stating that he wouldn't pursue the case. "It was either write that letter or miss my flight and throw the 1.2 lakh holiday bookings down the drain. Delhi police, why can't I file a complaint after coming back? Will the CCTV footage disappear in the two days till I make it back to Delhi?" he said.

An AI Express spokesperson said the airline "remains committed to ensuring that its employees act responsibly at all times".

"We are aware of an incident involving one of our employees, who was travelling as a passenger on another airline... We unequivocally condemn such behaviour...Appropriate disciplinary action will be initiated based on the findings of the inquiry."

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