Flier alleges Air India Express pilot assaulted him at airport
What's the story
Ankit Dewan, a SpiceJet passenger, has accused an Air India Express pilot of assaulting him at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport. The incident occurred at Terminal 1 when Dewan was traveling with his family, including a four-month-old baby, according to India Today. He alleged that airport staff directed them to use the staff and PRM security check because of the infant.
Assault details
Pilot's alleged assault escalates from verbal confrontation
Dewan claimed that some staff members started cutting the queue in front of him. When he protested, a pilot, identified as Captain Virender, who was using the same entry, allegedly questioned his literacy and asked if he couldn't read signs indicating the entry was for staff. This led to a verbal confrontation, which Dewan claims ended with the pilot physically assaulting him, leaving him injured and bleeding.
Airline response
Airline responds to assault allegations, pilot removed from duty
Air India Express has acknowledged the incident and said that the pilot was traveling as a passenger on another airline when the altercation took place. The airline has condemned such behavior and removed the pilot from official duties with immediate effect pending an investigation. "We profoundly regret this incident at Delhi Airport... We extend our heartfelt empathy for the distress it has caused, and strongly condemn such behavior," Air India Express said in a statement.
Ministry action
Civil aviation ministry orders formal inquiry into incident
The Ministry of Civil Aviation has also taken cognizance of the incident and ordered a formal inquiry. It directed Air India Express to ground the pilot immediately. Meanwhile, Dewan also wrote, "I was forced to write a letter stating that I will not pursue this matter further ... It was either write that letter, or miss my flight and throw the 1.2 lakhs holiday bookings down the drain."