Delhi airport incident: Air India Express suspends pilot, orders probe
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New Delhi: Air India Express will constitute an external committee next week to probe the incident involving one of its off-duty captains who allegedly assaulted a passenger at the Delhi airport on Friday, sources said.
Soon after the incident, the Tata Group-owned airline suspended the pilot. Sources told PTI that a show-cause notice has also been issued to him, seeking an explanation. The proceedings are being conducted under labour laws, as pilots fall under the workmen category. The external inquiry panel will be formed next week to investigate the matter, the sources added.
The incident took place at Terminal 1 of the Delhi airport on Friday.
The passenger, Ankit Dewan, shared details of the incident on social media on Friday, posting a photograph showing blood on his face following the altercation. He also shared a photograph of the pilot, identified as Virender Sejwal.
On Saturday, the Civil Aviation Ministry said it had taken serious cognisance of the incident and directed the airline to ground the pilot with immediate effect. “A formal enquiry has been ordered. Detailed reports have been sought from BCAS and CISF,” the ministry said in a post on X, responding to Dewan’s post.
In a statement issued on Friday, Air India Express said it was aware of an incident at the Delhi airport involving one of its employees, who was travelling as a passenger on another airline and had an altercation with a fellow passenger.
“We unequivocally condemn such behaviour. 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.
Air India Express officials also contacted the passenger following the incident.
With PTI inputs
