Air India Express Grounds Senior Pilot After Passenger Assault Incident

New Delhi: Air India Express has temporarily grounded a senior pilot following allegations of assaulting a passenger at Delhi Airport’s Terminal 1. The incident occurred when the passenger reportedly questioned the pilot’s use of a security lane reserved for airline staff.

What happened?
Passenger Ankit Diwan claims that the pilot, Captain Virendra Sejwal, was traveling on an IndiGo flight to Bengaluru when a verbal altercation escalated into physical confrontation. Diwan alleged that when he asked the pilot about skipping the queue, Sejwal responded by questioning his literacy and eventually resorted to physical aggression.

A photo shared by the passenger on social media shows him bleeding from the face after the altercation. The incident reportedly occurred in front of Diwan’s seven-year-old daughter, who witnessed the assault and remains traumatized.

Airline’s response
Air India Express issued a statement condemning the behavior: “We strongly denounce such conduct. The employee has been immediately relieved of official duties pending investigation. Appropriate disciplinary action will follow based on the findings.”

Shocking revelations
Sources suggest that the pilot allegedly reacted after the passenger reportedly used abusive language concerning his ailing mother. Security personnel intervened, and the pilot proceeded to Bengaluru, but he was barred from operating his scheduled flight.

Passenger raises safety concerns
Diwan questioned the airline and DGCA oversight, stating: “If a pilot can lose his temper over a minor dispute, can they be entrusted with the lives of hundreds of passengers? Airports are supposed to be safe spaces.”

Alleged pressure on passenger
Diwan further alleged that he was forced to sign a letter agreeing not to pursue the matter or risk forfeiting his ₹1.2 lakh holiday booking. He raised concerns about the potential disappearance of CCTV footage before he could return to Delhi to file a complaint.

This incident has reignited debates about passenger safety and the accountability of airline staff, emphasizing the critical need for strict oversight in aviation.