‘Casteist Remarks, Unfathomable Threats’: Suspended Air India Express Pilot Responds To Charges Of Assault

New Delhi: The Air India Express pilot who allegedly assaulted a passenger at Delhi airport has come out with his side of the incident.

The pilot, Captain Virender Sejwal, was suspended pending an inquiry after complaints of him assaulting a SpiceJet passenger following a dispute over jumping queue at a security checkpoint at Terminal 1 of Indira Gandhi International airport.

According to a statement issued by Captain Sejwal’s lawyers, reports on the issue have “misrepresented a personal incident” as a “pilot vs passenger” dispute.

“Capt. Virender Sejwal was travelling as a passenger. He was not on flight duty, nor was the incident connected in any manner to his professional responsibilities. It was a purely personal matter between two passengers,” the statement said.

It pointed out that outrage on social media over the incident is based on “one-sided, incomplete misrepresentation of facts.”

“Mr Ankit Dewan (the passenger) has selectively presented facts to create a false narrative, wrongly implying a professional conflict and attempting to sensationalise a settled issue. Casteist remarks were made against Capt. Sejwal, and absolutely unfathomable threats were made to female members of his family including a child,” claimed the statement.

Captain Sejwal’s statement said Dewan started the confrontation by verbally abusing the pilot without provocation and continued using abusive, degrading and threatening language even after being asked to stop.

“The situation escalated into a physical altercation in which Capt Sejwal was also hurt; he also sustained injuries during the scuffle. CISF personnel intervened promptly, repeatedly told Mr Dewan to calm down and stop abusing, yet he refused to relent and continued his misconduct in their presence,” it said.

The Air India Express pilot’s statement said the incident was resolved in the presence of CISF officials, and slammed the idea of associating Air India Express with the incident.

“This personal incident has no connection whatsoever with his employer or professional duties. Attempts to associate the company’s name are unwarranted and appear aimed solely at gaining social media attention on an otherwise settled personal issue,” the statement mentioned.

“Capt Sejwal has full faith in authorities that he will not be denied justice and the incident will be looked at impartially considering all facts and without the overbearing social media narrative. Capt. Sejwal requests that the media and public rely only on verified facts and refrain from circulating one-sided or misleading content that may harm reputations or distort true facts,” it added.