An Air India Express pilot has been taken into custody by Delhi Police more than a week after he was accused of physically attacking a fellow passenger at the capital's Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA). The pilot, identified as Virender Sejwal, was detained for questioning on Monday evening in connection with the alleged assault that took place on December 19.
What Happened at Terminal 1?
The altercation erupted at Terminal 1 of the Delhi airport following a dispute over the use of a security check area. According to the complainant, Ankit Dewan, he and his family—which included his four-month-old infant—were directed to use the security check lane designated for airport staff and persons with reduced mobility while proceeding for their SpiceJet flight.
Dewan alleged on social media that Sejwal was among a group of airline staff members who were cutting the queue. This led to a confrontation, during which the pilot allegedly assaulted and injured Dewan. It is important to note that at the time of the incident, Captain Sejwal was not on official duty but was traveling as a passenger on an IndiGo flight to Bengaluru.
Police Action and Investigation Details
Based on Ankit Dewan's complaint, an FIR was registered at the airport police station on December 22. The case was filed under Indian Penal Code sections 115 (voluntarily causing hurt), 126 (wrongful restraint), and 351 (assault or criminal force otherwise than on grave provocation).
Delhi Police officials stated that Sejwal was brought in for sustained questioning after his detention. They confirmed that CCTV footage from the airport shows the pilot hitting Dewan and restraining him. Dewan told media that he had returned from a holiday in Jaipur and submitted his police complaint via email.
Reactions and Consequences
The Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) took swift notice of the incident, ordering a formal investigation on December 20. Following this, the Tata Group-run airline, Air India Express, removed Captain Sejwal from all official flying duties pending the outcome of the inquiry.
However, the pilot's side of the story presents a different narrative. In an official statement released on December 21, Sejwal countered the allegations. He claimed that Dewan had verbally abused him without any provocation and continued using "abusive, degrading and threatening language" even after being asked to stop.
His legal representative further asserted that casteist remarks were directed at Captain Sejwal, and threats were made against female members of his family, including a child. Sejwal emphasized that the incident was a "purely personal matter between two passengers" and had been "misrepresented" on social media as a pilot-versus-passenger dispute, which he stated was not connected to his professional role in any way.
The case remains under active investigation as authorities examine all evidence, including the CCTV footage and statements from both parties, to determine the exact sequence of events and appropriate legal action.
