Air India Express Pilot Arrested for Alleged Assault at Delhi Airport, Released on Bail.

December 30, 2025 at 03:40 AM•3 min read

Air India Express removed an off-duty pilot from duties following his arrest and bail in a Delhi Airport passenger assault case, prompting a Ministry of Civil Aviation probe.

Key Points

1Air India Express pilot Captain Virendra Sejwal was arrested and released on bail in connection with an alleged assault on a passenger, Ankit Dewan, at Delhi Airport on December 19.
2The incident, which was captured on CCTV, occurred at a Terminal 1 security checkpoint over a queue-cutting dispute.
3Air India Express removed the off-duty pilot from all official duties, and the Ministry of Civil Aviation ordered a formal investigation.
4The pilot denied the allegations, claiming the passenger initiated the confrontation with verbal abuse and alleged casteist remarks.

An Air India Express pilot was formally arrested and released on bail this week.

Captain Virendra Sejwal faces charges related to an alleged assault on a passenger. The incident took place at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI). Police confirmed the arrest was part of an ongoing investigation. Sejwal was later released because the charges were bailable offenses.

Incident Details and Investigation

The confrontation happened on December 19 at Terminal 1 of the airport. The dispute involved Captain Sejwal and passenger Ankit Dewan. It began over using a security check area meant for staff or persons with reduced mobility.

Mr. Dewan stated he was traveling with his family, including an infant. He alleged that airline staff, including the pilot, were cutting the queue. An argument followed, which Mr. Dewan claims led to the pilot assaulting him. Police noted that Captain Sejwal was not on official duty at the time. He was traveling as a passenger on an IndiGo flight to Bengaluru.

Police and Regulatory Action

Delhi Police registered a First Information Report (FIR) on December 22. The charges included voluntarily causing hurt and criminal intimidation. Investigators collected relevant CCTV footage from the terminal. Police stated the footage showed the pilot hitting and restraining Mr. Dewan.

Following the incident, the Ministry of Civil Aviation ordered a formal investigation on December 20. Air India Express immediately removed the pilot from all official duties. The airline stated it would take appropriate disciplinary action.

Conflicting Accounts

Captain Sejwal has denied the allegations of assault. He claimed Mr. Dewan verbally abused him without provocation. Sejwal’s lawyer further alleged that casteist remarks were made. He maintained the incident was a personal matter between two passengers.

Impact on Aviation Crew Conduct

This high-profile incident highlights the scrutiny on aviation crew conduct, even when off-duty. Airlines and regulators like the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) maintain strict codes of conduct.

Key Takeaways for the Industry:

Zero-Tolerance Policies: Airlines like Air India Express must enforce zero-tolerance policies for violence.
Reputational Risk: Incidents involving crew members, even off-duty, pose a significant reputational risk.
Regulatory Oversight: The Ministry of Civil Aviation probe underscores the need for regulatory oversight in passenger disputes.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) promotes global standards for passenger and crew safety. Such incidents, though rare, draw attention to airport security and passenger experience globally. The investigation into the Delhi Airport passenger assault is ongoing. For more commercial aviation news, visit flying.flights.