A dispute over queue discipline at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport spiralled into allegations of verbal abuse and physical assault.
A SpiceJet passenger allegedly accused an Air India Express pilot of attacking him at Terminal 1. The episode prompted action from the airline, the police and the Ministry of Civil Aviation.
The pilot has been grounded pending an inquiry, claimed media reports.
The passenger, Ankit Dewan, was quoted as saying that the incident took place while he was travelling with his family. With them was a four-month-old baby in a stroller.
According to reports, he said the airport staff directed them to use the staff and PRM security check because of the infant.
Dewan alleged that several staff members began jumping the queue to which he protested
When he said jumping the queue was unfair, an Air India Express pilot, identified as Captain Virender, allegedly confronted him. The pilot, according to one version, was also using the same entry.
Describing the exchange on X, Dewan said the pilot questioned his literacy and asked whether he could not read the signs stating the entry was meant for staff.
He wrote: “The staff was cutting the queue ahead of me. On calling them out, Capt. Virender, who himself was doing the same thing, asked me if I was anpadh (uneducated), and couldn’t read the signs that said this entry was for staff.”
The argument soon escalated. Dewan alleged that the verbal altercation turned violent. He said the pilot assaulted him and left him injured.
In another post, Dewan alleged the pilot failed to exercise restraint and attacked him physically.He said the assault left him bleeding and that the blood seen in photographs was his.
He wrote: “Not able to exercise restraint, the AIX [Air India Express] pilot proceeded to physically assault me, leaving me bloody. The blood in the photograph on his shirt is also mine.”
Dewan shared images on social media. One showed blood on his face.
Another showed blood stains on the pilot’s shirt.
Claiming the incident ruined his family holiday, he mentioned that it left his daughter traumatised.
Dewan also alleged he was forced to write a letter stating that he would not pursue the matter further.
Tagging the Delhi Police on X, he questioned why he could not file a complaint after returning from his trip.
He also raised concerns about losing money and about the preservation of CCTV footage.
Delhi Police said no complaint had been lodged by either the passenger or the airline.
They said the matter came to their attention through social media. They added that appropriate legal action would be taken once a written complaint was received.
Meanwhile, Air India Express said the employee was travelling as a passenger on another airline at the time.
It confirmed that an altercation had taken place with another passenger.
The airline said it deeply regretted the incident, expressed empathy for the distress caused, and condemned the behaviour.
Furthermore, the airline revealed the employee had been removed from official duties with immediate effect pending a thorough investigation.
It added that appropriate disciplinary action would follow based on the findings.
Air India Express said it would cooperate fully with law enforcement authorities and reiterated its commitment to high standards of conduct and professionalism.
Also Read: Passenger Hits Indigo Pilot Over Flight Delay, Deplaned https://www.vibesofindia.com/passenger-hits-indigo-pilot-over-flight-delay-deplaned/
