Air India Express has issued a show-cause notice to pilot Virendra Sejwal following allegations of assault on a passenger at Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport’s Terminal 1, New Delhi.
The action
comes in response to a complaint by passenger Ankit Dewan, who claimed he was physically attacked by the off-duty pilot during a security check on December 19.
Sources told CNN-News18 that the pilot has been served the notice under labour laws, as pilots are classified under the “workman” category.
The airline is expected to constitute an external inquiry committee later this week to investigate the matter.
According to Dewan, the altercation began when he objected to certain staff members allegedly cutting the queue at the security checkpoint.
“I am right now focusing on my health, and a CT scan today showed a displaced fracture of the left nasal bone. I hope I get justice in the matter,” Dewan told news agency PTI.
He also said that the assault left him bleeding and traumatised his seven-year-old daughter, who witnessed the incident.
The Delhi Police, citing Dewan’s complaint, registered a case under sections 115 (voluntarily causing hurt), 126 (wrongful restraint), and 351 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, at the IGI Airport police station.
Police officials said the case was initially flagged after Dewan’s social media post surfaced, as a formal complaint had not been received earlier.
Later, the police took preliminary steps, including examining CCTV footage from the terminal, and the pilot was taken into custody for questioning to establish the sequence of events.
Air India Express confirmed that Sejwal was travelling as a passenger on another airline at the time of the incident.
The airline stated that the pilot has been removed from official duties with immediate effect, pending an internal investigation.
“Air India Express deeply regrets the incident involving one of its employees. The pilot has been removed from official duties, and the airline is fully cooperating with law enforcement authorities to ensure a fair and thorough investigation,” the airline said in a statement quoted by ANI.
The incident went viral after Dewan shared a video of the alleged assault on social media, triggering public outrage and prompting swift action by authorities.
Following the developments, the Ministry of Civil Aviation ordered an inquiry into the matter, while the airline promised full cooperation with investigators.
Dewan, who submitted a written complaint to the Delhi Police, told ANI that he does not wish to comment further as he focuses on his recovery.
Police officials, however, indicated that further legal action will be taken based on the outcome of the ongoing investigation and medical reports.
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