New Delhi: An Air India Express pilot has been formally arrested and later released on bail in connection with an alleged assault on a passenger at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport. Police confirmed that the offence is bailable under the sections applied and that the investigation into the incident is ongoing.
The accused, identified as Virendra Sejwal, was taken into custody a few days ago after investigators completed preliminary inquiries, including the examination of CCTV footage and the recording of statements from those involved. He was subsequently released on bail following his arrest.
The incident dates back to December 19 and occurred at Terminal 1 of the airport. Sejwal is accused of assaulting and injuring a passenger, Ankit Dewan, after an argument over the use of a security check area designated for airline staff and passengers with reduced mobility. At the time of the incident, Sejwal was not on duty and was travelling as a passenger on a flight to Bengaluru.
According to Dewan’s complaint, he was travelling with his family, including his four month old child, and had been directed to use the staff security check area while boarding a SpiceJet flight. He alleged that some airline staff members were bypassing the queue and that an argument broke out when he objected. Dewan claimed that the dispute escalated and that he was assaulted during the confrontation.
Police registered a case on December 22 under sections related to voluntarily causing hurt, wrongful restraint, and criminal intimidation. Investigators said CCTV footage from the terminal showed the pilot hitting and restraining the complainant. Sejwal was detained more than a week later, questioned for several hours, and then formally arrested before being granted bail.
Following the incident, the Ministry of Civil Aviation ordered a formal probe, and Air India Express removed the pilot from official duties pending the outcome of the investigation.
In a statement issued earlier, Sejwal denied the allegations, claiming he was verbally abused without provocation and subjected to threatening language. His legal counsel also alleged that caste based remarks were made against him and that threats were directed at his family members. Sejwal maintained that the incident was a personal dispute between two passengers and had no connection to his professional role.
Sorry, there was a YouTube error.
