An Air India Express pilot has been grounded pending an internal inquiry after an alleged physical altercation with a passenger at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport Terminal 1 (T1), an incident that has prompted scrutiny from civil aviation authorities and airport security agencies.
The incident reportedly took place at the security checkpoint when Ankit Dewan, travelling with his wife, a seven-year-old child, and an infant, was directed to a priority screening lane meant for airline crew and passengers with babies.
According to Dewan’s account shared on social media, Captain Virender Sejwal, who was travelling as a passenger on another airline to join duty later, entered the same lane, leading to a disagreement over queue order. The exchange allegedly escalated into a physical confrontation, resulting in Dewan sustaining facial injuries.
Security Response Under Review
Dewan has stated that the incident occurred in the presence of security personnel, including CISF staff, but intervention came only after the situation escalated. Photographs shared online showed visible injuries, though the claims have not yet been tested through formal legal proceedings.
Following the incident, airport authorities allowed the pilot to travel onward as a passenger; however, he was prevented from operating his scheduled flight.
Airline and Government Action
Air India Express confirmed that the pilot has been grounded with immediate effect, pending the outcome of an internal disciplinary inquiry.
In an official statement, the airline said it does not condone any form of misconduct and will take appropriate action based on the findings.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation has taken cognisance of the matter and sought reports from the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) and the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) to examine whether standard operating procedures were followed at the security checkpoint.
Police Status and Passenger Allegations
Delhi Police have acknowledged awareness of the incident through online posts but stated that no formal complaint or FIR has been registered as of now.
Dewan has alleged that he was discouraged from pursuing immediate legal action at the airport to avoid travel disruption, a claim that authorities have not officially responded to.
Questions on Airport Operations
The incident has reignited debate over crowd management at airport security points, particularly the practice of combining staff and passenger priority lanes in high-security zones.
Officials said further action, if any, will depend on the findings of the ongoing inquiries by the airline and aviation security agencies.
