SRINAGAR: An Air India Express pilot has been suspended following allegations that he assaulted a passenger during a security check at Delhi Airport, according to an NDTV report.
The incident occurred on Friday at Terminal 1, where a SpiceJet passenger, Ankit Dewan, claimed he was physically attacked after questioning staff members for cutting the queue. Dewan was accompanied by his wife and two children at the time.
According to Dewan, he requested to use a staff security lane due to travelling with a four-month-old baby in a stroller. When he challenged staff members cutting the line, Captain Virender Sejwal, an off-duty Air India Express pilot, allegedly verbally abused and then physically assaulted him. Dewan posted on X that the pilot asked if he was “uneducated” and could not read signs marking the staff entry, before assaulting him. He added that the blood visible on the pilot’s shirt in a photograph was his.
In response, Air India Express said the pilot had been “removed from official duties with immediate effect” and that “appropriate action will be taken pending thorough investigation”. The airline expressed regret over the incident and condemned the behaviour.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation also took cognisance of the matter, directing the airline to ground the pilot immediately.
Authorities are investigating the incident, which has sparked outrage over passenger safety and conduct of airline staff.
