What Happened at Delhi Airport? Air India Express Pilot Accused of Assaulting Passenger
Incident at Indira Gandhi International Airport
New Delhi: A passenger flying with SpiceJet has accused a pilot from Air India Express of physically assaulting him during a dispute over boarding procedures at Terminal 1 of Indira Gandhi International Airport. This incident has sparked significant attention on social media platforms.
The individual, identified as Ankit Dewan, shared a photo on X showing blood on his face, claiming the altercation occurred in front of his young daughter, who he says is now traumatized by the event.
Dewan expressed his frustration on social media, tagging the Delhi Police and questioning why he was unable to file a complaint after returning from his trip. He raised concerns about the potential loss of CCTV footage before he could report the incident.
In response, the Delhi Police stated that they had not received any formal complaint regarding the matter. They indicated that appropriate legal action would follow once a written complaint was submitted.
Dewan further alleged that he was coerced into signing a letter stating he would not pursue the issue, fearing he would miss his flight and lose his holiday bookings worth ₹1.2 lakh.
The incident reportedly took place while Dewan was traveling with his family, including a four-month-old baby. He claimed that airport staff directed them to use a staff-only security lane to expedite their passage through the terminal.
However, he alleged that staff members began to cut in line ahead of him. When he confronted them, Capt. Virender, the pilot involved, allegedly insulted him and escalated the situation into a physical confrontation.
Dewan stated, "Unable to control himself, the Air India Express pilot attacked me, resulting in my injuries. The blood on my shirt is also from me," he added in another post on X, where he named the pilot.
Air India Express responded by condemning the incident, stating that such behavior is unacceptable. They confirmed that the pilot has been removed from his duties pending an investigation and that disciplinary measures will be taken based on the inquiry's outcomes.
The airline clarified that the individual was a passenger on another airline during the incident and was not acting in an official capacity. They reiterated their commitment to maintaining high standards of professionalism and conduct among their employees.