Air India Express pilot responds to assault allegations, cites casteist remarks, threats
An Air India Express pilot has responded to allegations of assault during a violent altercation at Delhi Airport, claiming the incident was misrepresented and involved casteist remarks and serious threats against his family. While the passenger has accused the pilot of physical assault, the pilot maintains that the dispute was personal, resolved voluntarily in the presence of CISF officials, and is being sensationalised on social media.
New Delhi: Amid the growing controversy over an eye-catching and violent dispute between an Air India Express pilot and a passenger, the former has come forward to defend himself. In a statement issued through a law firm, Captain Virender Sejwal addressed the incident.
In his statement, Sejwal claimed that the media had misinterpreted the entire episode. He added that the argument was purely personal in nature and had no connection to his professional responsibilities. Captain Sejwal further alleged that the fellow passenger, Ankit Dewan, had misrepresented the incident and attempted to create sensationalism by distorting the facts. He also claimed that Dewan made casteist remarks and issued "unfathomable threats” against his child and family.
Dewan’s side of the argument
Earlier, Dewan alleged in a post on X that Sejwal assaulted him at Delhi Airport’s Terminal 1. The incident reportedly occurred while Dewan was travelling with his family, including his four-month-old daughter. According to Dewan, airport staff asked him to use the security check-in queue meant for staff as his baby was in a stroller.
Dewan claimed that staff members were cutting the queue ahead of him. When he confronted them, Sejwal allegedly shouted at him, called him "uneducated,” and pointed to the staff-entry signage. This reportedly led to a dispute between the two.
"Unable to exercise restraint, the AIX [Air India Express] pilot proceeded to physically assault me, leaving me bloody. The blood visible in the photograph on his shirt is also mine,” Dewan alleged.
Inconsistency in statements
However, Captain Sejwal’s statement maintains that Ankit Dewan initiated the argument by verbally abusing the pilot without any provocation and "continued using abusive, degrading and threatening language even after being repeatedly asked to stop.” According to the statement, the situation escalated into a physical altercation during which Capt. Sejwal was also injured.
It further states that CISF personnel intervened promptly and repeatedly instructed Mr. Dewan to calm down and cease the abuse. Despite this, he allegedly refused to comply and continued his misconduct in the presence of security officials.
In contrast, Ankit Dewan claimed that he was "forced” to write a letter stating that he would not pursue the matter further. "It was either write that letter or miss my flight and lose my ₹1.2 lakh holiday bookings,” he said.
Captain Sejwal’s statement, however, asserts that the matter was resolved in the presence of CISF officials and that both parties "voluntarily signed a statement” indicating they did not wish to pursue legal action. It refutes allegations of coercion, stating that Mr. Dewan signed the document willingly and without any pressure.
The statement also notes that the CISF publicly confirmed on social media platform X that its officers acted promptly, offered both individuals the option to file formal complaints, and that the offer was voluntarily declined. It adds that allegations of force or bias against the CISF are "incorrect and unfounded.”
Captain Sejwal expresses faith in the authorities
Captain Sejwal further criticised attempts to link Air India Express to the incident, describing it as a personal matter unrelated to his employer or professional responsibilities. "Any attempt to associate the company with this incident is unwarranted and appears aimed solely at gaining social media attention over an otherwise resolved personal issue,” the statement said.
Expressing confidence in the authorities, Capt. Sejwal said he believes the matter will be examined impartially, based on verified facts and not influenced by social media narratives. He also urged the media and the public to refrain from circulating one-sided or misleading information that could harm reputations.
Earlier, Air India Express said it "unequivocally condemns such behaviour” and confirmed that action had been taken against the pilot. "The employee concerned has been removed from official duties with immediate effect, pending investigation. Appropriate disciplinary action will be initiated based on the findings of the inquiry,” the airline said.