A violent altercation at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport has led to the suspension of an Air India Express pilot and raised serious questions about passenger safety and staff conduct. The incident involved a SpiceJet passenger, Ankit Dewan, who was allegedly physically assaulted by Captain Virender Sejwal, a pilot with Air India Express, at Terminal 1.
Chaos at Security Check: How the Altercation Began
According to a detailed account shared by Ankit Dewan on social media platform X, the incident occurred on a day when he was travelling with his wife and two children, including a four-month-old infant. Dewan claimed that airport staff directed his family to use a staff security checkpoint to accommodate the baby stroller.
However, a dispute erupted when Dewan noticed staff members, including the off-duty pilot Captain Virender Sejwal, allegedly cutting the queue. When Dewan called out this behaviour, the situation quickly escalated verbally. Dewan alleges that Sejwal asked him if he was "anpadh" (uneducated) and could not read signs indicating the entry was for staff.
The verbal spat soon turned physical. "Not able to exercise restraint, the AIX pilot proceeded to physically assault me, leaving me bloody," Dewan wrote in his post, sharing pictures of his facial injury and the pilot.
Trauma, Intimidation, and a Demand for Justice
The consequences of the assault extended beyond the physical injury. Dewan stated that the incident ruined his family holiday and severely traumatised his seven-year-old daughter, who witnessed her father being attacked. He also made a grave allegation about being pressured to drop the matter.
Dewan claimed he was forced to write a letter stating he would not pursue the complaint further, with the only alternative being to miss his flight and lose holiday bookings worth approximately 1.2 lakh rupees. In his posts, he tagged Delhi Police, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Air India Express, and Delhi Airport, demanding to know why he couldn't file a complaint later and how such pilots are allowed to fly.
In a separate and serious allegation, Dewan claimed that Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel present were aware of the impending violence but did not intervene. He stated that Sejwal, while being frisked, told a CISF officer he would hit Dewan, a statement allegedly heard by Dewan's wife. He questioned why no preventive action was taken.
Swift Suspension and Official Responses
The public outcry prompted immediate action from the airlines and airport authorities. Air India Express responded swiftly on social media, expressing profound regret and condemning the behaviour of their employee, who was travelling as a passenger on another airline.
The airline announced the "immediate" removal of Captain Virender Sejwal from official duties pending a thorough investigation. They assured full cooperation with law enforcement for a fair process.
Delhi Airport also issued a response, expressing deep concern and regret over Dewan's experience. They stated that the issue was being formally escalated to the concerned authorities for immediate review and appropriate action, reiterating that passenger safety and well-being remain their highest priority.
The incident has highlighted critical issues of passenger rights, staff accountability, and security protocol enforcement within the sensitive zones of Indian airports, prompting calls for stricter oversight and passenger-friendly complaint mechanisms.
