Air India Express Suspends Off-Duty Pilot After Assaulting Passenger at Delhi Airport

December 20, 2025 at 05:04 AM•2 min read

Air India Express suspended an off-duty pilot immediately following allegations of physically assaulting a passenger at Delhi Airport Terminal 1.

Key Points

1Air India Express immediately suspended the off-duty pilot involved in the physical altercation with passenger Ankit Dewan at Delhi Airport Terminal 1.
2The incident reportedly stemmed from a dispute over queue-jumping near the security check area, escalating into a physical assault on December 19, 2025.
3Delhi Police confirmed they were aware of the assault via social media but noted that no formal written complaint has been filed by the victim or the carrier.
4The passenger claimed he was pressured to drop the complaint to avoid missing his flight and losing substantial holiday bookings worth 1.2 lakh.

An off-duty Air India Express captain was suspended by the carrier pending investigation after allegedly physically assaulting a passenger, Ankit Dewan, at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) Terminal 1 on December 19, 2025. The incident reportedly occurred near the security check area when the pilot, identified as Captain Virender Sejwal, was traveling as a passenger on another airline.

According to Dewan's social media account, the altercation began after he challenged airline staff for allegedly cutting the security queue designated for passengers traveling with infants, which his family was using. Dewan claims Captain Sejwal, who was also reportedly cutting the line, verbally abused him before initiating a physical assault that left Dewan with visible injuries. Dewan's seven-year-old daughter witnessed the incident and remains traumatized.

Air India Express issued a statement condemning the behavior and confirming the employee's immediate removal from official duties pending a formal inquiry. Meanwhile, the Delhi Police confirmed they learned of the assault via social media but stated that no formal written complaint has been filed either by the victim or the airline. The police indicated that appropriate legal action would be taken upon receipt of a written complaint. Dewan later claimed he was pressured to sign a letter stating he would not pursue the matter further, citing concerns about missing his booked flight and jeopardizing his substantial holiday plans if he stayed behind to file a report.