Delhi Police has officially registered a First Information Report (FIR) against an off-duty Air India Express pilot following allegations of a physical assault at the capital's airport. The case was filed on Monday after a detailed complaint was submitted by the aggrieved passenger, Ankit Dewan.
Complaint Details and Police Action
The legal machinery was set in motion after Ankit Dewan sent a formal complaint via email to the Delhi Police. This written complaint was crucial, as the police had earlier stated they had received no formal report from either the passenger or the airline regarding the alleged altercation at Terminal 1 of Delhi Airport. Authorities clarified they first learned of the incident through Dewan's social media post on platform X.
The accused has been identified as Captain Virender Sejwal, a pilot with Air India Express. The FIR marks a significant step, with police confirming that appropriate legal proceedings will now follow based on the victim's official account.
How the Terminal 1 Altercation Unfolded
According to Dewan's account, which he initially shared on X along with pictures of his injuries and the pilot, the incident occurred while he was travelling with his wife and two young children. His family, which included a four-month-old infant in a stroller, was reportedly guided to use a staff security checkpoint for convenience.
The situation escalated when Dewan noticed airport staff, including the pilot, allegedly cutting the queue. "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," Dewan stated in his post.
What began as a verbal argument quickly turned violent. Dewan claimed the pilot could not exercise restraint and proceeded to physically assault him. "Not able to exercise restraint, the AIX pilot proceeded to physically assault me, leaving me bloody," he wrote, describing the traumatic event.
Impact on the Passenger and His Family
The consequences of the assault extended beyond physical injury. Dewan emphasized that the incident completely ruined his family holiday. More distressingly, it left a deep psychological impact on his young daughter.
He revealed that his seven-year-old daughter was traumatised and scared after witnessing her father being "assaulted brutally." The event, which was supposed to mark the beginning of a family vacation, instead turned into a frightening ordeal at the airport, casting a shadow over their travels.
The case highlights serious concerns about conduct and security within airport premises. With the FIR now registered, Delhi Police is tasked with investigating the claims thoroughly, balancing the accounts of both the complainant and the accused pilot from Air India Express.
