Air India Express said it is aware of an incident at the Delhi airport involving one of its employees, who was travelling as a passenger on another airline, and had an altercation with another passenger.
An off-duty pilot of Air India Express was suspended by the airline after he assaulted a passenger at the Delhi Airport during an altercation on Friday. According to reports, the Air India Express has also served a show cause notice to the accused pilot, seeking an explanation, and decided to set up an external committee next week to probe the incident.
Citing sources, a PTI report said proceedings against the pilot are being carried under the labour laws as pilots comes under the workmen category, and the Tata Group-owned airline will set up an external inquiry committee next week to launch an inquiry into the matter.
Air India pilot assaults passenger
As per details, the incident occurred at Terminal 1 (T1) of the Delhi airport on Friday, when the passenger, Ankit Dewan, was involved in an argument with Virender Sejwal, an off-duty Air India Express pilot, who was also travelling as a passenger on another airline. As the exchange became heated, Sejwal assaulted the passenger, leaving him with injuries on his face, reports said.
Dewan shared his ordeal in a social media post on Friday, sharing a photo showing blood on his face after altercation with Sejwal. The victim also shared a picture of the pilot.
The civil aviation ministry took “serious cognizance” of the incident after Dewan shared his experience, and said it has directed Air India Express to ground the pilot with immediate effect.
“A formal enquiry has been ordered. Detailed reports have been sought from BCAS and CISF,” the ministry had said in a post on X in a response to a post by Dewan.
What did Air India say?
Meanwhile, in a statement on Friday, Air India Express said it is aware of an incident at the Delhi airport involving one of its employees, who was travelling as a passenger on another airline, and had an altercation with another passenger.
“We unequivocally condemn such behaviour. The employee concerned has been removed from official duties with immediate effect, pending investigation. Appropriate disciplinary action will be initiated based on the findings of the inquiry,” the airline said, adding that its officials also contacted the passenger.
(With inputs from agencies)
