Air India Express Pilot Arrested, Granted Bail After Alleged Assault at Delhi Airport
An off-duty Air India Express pilot was arrested and later released on bail in connection with an alleged assault on a passenger at New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport, a case that has drawn attention within India’s aviation industry and raised questions about professional conduct beyond duty hours.
Delhi Police confirmed that the incident occurred on December 19 near the security checkpoint at Terminal 1 of the airport. The pilot, identified as Air India Express Captain Virendra Sejwal, was traveling as a passenger and was not on duty at the time of the alleged altercation. Authorities said the offences involved are bailable, allowing for his release shortly after arrest.
Incident at Terminal 1
According to police officials, the confrontation took place in a crowded area near the security screening zone, a space often marked by long queues and heightened passenger stress. The complainant, Ankit Dewan, a SpiceJet passenger, alleged that the dispute began after he objected to airline staff allegedly bypassing the security line.
Dewan claimed that the disagreement escalated into verbal abuse and later into physical assault. Police said the complaint prompted an initial inquiry, following which investigators began gathering evidence to establish the sequence of events leading up to the alleged assault.
Arrest and Legal Provisions
After preliminary questioning and a review of available evidence, Delhi Police arrested Captain Sejwal a few days after the incident. The First Information Report was registered under Sections 115 for voluntarily causing hurt, 126 for wrongful restraint, and 351 for criminal intimidation of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
Medical reports submitted to investigators confirmed a displaced fracture of the complainant’s left nasal bone, lending weight to the allegation of physical injury. Because the sections invoked are bailable, police released the pilot on bail shortly after completing arrest formalities.
Evidence Collection and Investigation
Investigators have collected CCTV footage from multiple cameras installed in and around Terminal 1 and are analysing it to reconstruct the events. Authorities said statements from the complainant and several witnesses have been formally recorded as part of the ongoing investigation.
Police officials added that additional material evidence is also being reviewed to corroborate the accounts provided during questioning. Delhi Police emphasized that the probe is being conducted strictly on the basis of evidence and merit.
A police source noted that authorities may consider further legal action if they find the explanations unsatisfactory. Senior officers said updates will be shared publicly only when doing so does not affect the outcome of the investigation.
Cooperation With Authorities
Officials confirmed that Captain Sejwal has appeared before the investigating officer and is cooperating with the enquiry. His explanations are being assessed against CCTV footage and witness testimonies as investigators seek to determine accountability.
The police have maintained that due process is being followed and that the matter is being handled impartially, regardless of the professional background of the accused.
Impact on the Complainant’s Family
Beyond the alleged physical injury, the complainant stated that the incident had emotional consequences for his family. Dewan said the altercation caused trauma to his seven-year-old daughter, who witnessed the incident at the airport.
The claim has added a human dimension to the case, with investigators factoring in the broader impact of the alleged incident as part of their assessment.
Airline Response and Internal Review
Air India Express confirmed that it is aware of the matter and has removed the pilot from official duties pending the outcome of an internal enquiry. The airline clarified that Captain Sejwal was traveling on another airline at the time and was not operating an Air India Express flight when the alleged incident occurred.
The carrier said it is conducting its own internal review in parallel with the police investigation, a move consistent with standard aviation industry practices when employees are involved in legal matters that could affect conduct standards.
Ongoing Proceedings
Delhi Police continue to record statements from all relevant individuals as the investigation progresses. Officials reiterated that further steps will depend on the findings from CCTV analysis, witness accounts, and other material evidence.
The case remains under investigation, with authorities indicating that any additional legal action will be determined after a comprehensive review of all available facts.
