New Developments in Air India Express Pilot and Passenger Altercation at Delhi Airport

Incident Overview

A recent altercation at Delhi Airport's Terminal 1 involving an Air India Express pilot and a passenger has taken a new turn. Captain Virendra Sejwal, the pilot in question, has publicly refuted the claims made by passenger Ankit Diwan, labeling them as false and one-sided.

Pilot's Defense

In a legal statement released by Captain Sejwal, he asserted that the incident has been misrepresented. He clarified that he was traveling as an ordinary passenger at the time, not in his capacity as a pilot for Air India Express, indicating that the situation had no relation to his professional role.

The statement further alleged that passenger Ankit Diwan made derogatory remarks based on caste and threatened the women and children in the pilot's family. According to Sejwal, Diwan initiated the verbal abuse without provocation and became aggressive, resulting in injuries to the pilot himself.

Passenger's Allegations

Previously, Ankit Diwan took to social media to accuse Captain Sejwal of cutting in line while he was using the 'staff entry' with his four-month-old daughter, calling him 'illiterate' when confronted.

Diwan claimed that the pilot physically assaulted him, causing him to bleed. He also alleged that CISF personnel pressured him to withdraw his complaint to avoid missing his flight.

Pilot's Statement on Resolution

According to the pilot's account, both parties signed an agreement in the presence of CISF, stating they did not wish to pursue legal action. The statement emphasized that any claims of coercion or pressure are completely unfounded.

Air India Express Response

Despite the pilot's characterization of the incident as a personal matter, Air India Express condemned the altercation and has suspended Captain Sejwal from duty pending the outcome of an investigation. The airline has indicated that strict disciplinary measures will be taken based on the investigation's findings.