Air India Express Pilot Grounded After Alleged Assault at Delhi Airport Security

Air India Express has grounded one of its pilots following an alleged physical assault on a passenger at Delhi Airport Terminal 1. The incident, which occurred at a security checkpoint, has sparked a high-level inquiry by the government and raised significant questions about airline crew professionalism and airport queue management.

The off-duty pilot, Captain Virender Sejwal, was traveling as a regular passenger when the altercation took place on Friday, December 19, 2025. The airline confirmed the Air India Express pilot assault and removed him from official duties immediately, pending a full investigation.

Details of the Delhi Airport Security Dispute

The complainant, Ankit Dewan, was a SpiceJet passenger traveling with his family, including a four-month-old infant. Dewan posted a detailed account on social media platform X.

• Airport staff reportedly directed Dewan's family to a priority security lane.
• This lane was allegedly used by both staff and passengers needing assistance.
• Dewan claimed Captain Sejwal, who was dead-heading on an IndiGo flight to Bengaluru, cut the queue.
• A heated argument began when Dewan objected to the queue-jumping.
• Dewan alleged the pilot then physically assaulted him, causing visible injuries.

Dewan's seven-year-old daughter witnessed the confrontation, which he stated left her shaken and traumatized.

Airline and Regulatory Response

Air India Express issued a statement expressing regret over the incident. The airline stated it "strongly condemns any form of unacceptable behaviour" and empathized with the passenger's distress.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) took swift action, ordering the pilot's immediate grounding. The ministry has also launched a formal Ministry of Civil Aviation probe. Detailed reports were requested from the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) and the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF).

Conflicting Accounts and Legal Status

While the passenger's account of the Delhi airport security dispute is public, a statement from Captain Sejwal's lawyers presented a different version of events. The pilot's statement claims the passenger, Ankit Dewan, initiated the confrontation with verbal abuse and made "casteist remarks" and "unfathomable threats" against the pilot's family.

Captain Sejwal's statement also asserted that the matter was resolved with the intervention of CISF personnel. Both parties, he claims, agreed not to pursue the matter further.

• Police Status: Delhi Police confirmed they learned of the incident via social media.
• Formal Complaint: As of the latest reports, no formal written complaint has been filed by either the passenger or the airline.

Dewan, however, alleged he was pressured to sign a statement promising not to pursue the incident. He claimed refusing would have meant missing his flight and losing costly holiday bookings.

Broader Impact on Aviation Operations

This high-profile incident highlights several critical operational and safety concerns within commercial aviation news. The core issue is the off-duty pilot conduct and the expectation of professionalism from airline personnel, even when traveling as passengers.

Furthermore, the incident raises serious questions about airport queue management. Mixing airline staff and vulnerable passengers (like those with infants) in the same priority access point can create confusion and tension in a high-security area like Terminal 1. Clearer segregation of lanes may be necessary to prevent similar conflicts.

The passenger grievance redressal process is also under scrutiny. The allegation of pressure to sign a non-pursuit letter suggests a need for better, accessible mechanisms for passengers to file complaints without jeopardizing their travel plans. The outcome of the MoCA's probe and the internal inquiry by Air India Express will be closely watched by the industry and the public.