A SpiceJet passenger on Friday alleged that he was physically assaulted at Delhi’s IGI Airport by an off-duty Air India Express pilot. The incident took place after the victim, identified as Ankit Dewan, got into an argument with Air India Express pilot Virender Sejwal over the latter jumping the queue.
Dewan was travelling from Delhi airport with his wife, 7-year-old daughter and 4-month-old toddler for a holiday on Friday (December 19) when the incident took place. What was supposed to be a time to relax with family turned into a nightmare for Dewan. A routine security check at Indira Gandhi International Airport turned into a disturbing episode of alleged violence when a scuffle resulted in an Air India Express pilot physically assaulting Dewan in front of his family.
What happened at Delhi airport with Dewan?
Dewan detailed his ordeal through X posts and some media interviews. In the social media posts, he said that while travelling with his wife, daughter and the infant in a stroller, airport staff directed them to a priority security lane at Terminal 1. The lane is meant for crew members and families with young children, a measure to ease congestion and reduce stress for vulnerable passengers.
According to Dewan’s X post, the situation took an ugly turn when AIX pilot Sejwal allegedly cut ahead in the queue. Dewan objected and said that his family had been guided into the lane by airport staff. He claimed that what followed was a heated verbal exchange.
Dewan alleged that Sejwal called him “anpadh” (illiterate) and insisted that the lane was reserved exclusively for airline staff. The argument escalated rapidly. Dewan said the pilot threatened him openly, a warning that his wife reportedly overheard. Despite the presence of security personnel, no immediate effort was made to defuse the situation.
The confrontation allegedly turned violent moments later. Dewan claimed he was assaulted after a verbal exchange that included an offensive remark about Sejwal’s mother. Photos posted by Dewan showed his bloodied face and a white shirt allegedly worn by Sejwal stained with blood.
‘My daughter is still traumatised’
What made the episode even more traumatic, Dewan said, was that it unfolded in full view of his family. “My seven-year-old daughter, who saw her father get assaulted brutally, is still traumatised and scared,” he wrote. “I have no clue how DGCA and Air India Express can allow such pilots to fly. If they can’t keep their cool in a scuffle, can they be trusted with the lives of hundreds of people in the sky?” posted Dewan.
Despite the presence of a lady officer and at least two personnel from the CISF at the X-ray machine and frisking area, Dewan alleged there was no timely intervention. “My wife kept requesting first aid. The guy got there after 15 minutes, but empty handed. He said that we must go to the medical centre…But the medical centre was air side and CISF wouldn’t let me cross the security. So after some 45 minutes, a suitcase was hauled in with medicines, and then I was given First Aid,” he posted on X.
“Virender Sejwal was getting frisked at the Security Check while continuing his verbal spat with me. There, he told the CISF guy “main issko maar ke aata hu”…But did CISF take any preventive action? No,” his post further read.
Air India Express issues statement
Soon after Dewan’s post, Air India Express’ X handle commented on it and claimed that Sejwal has been removed from all official duties. “We profoundly regret this incident at Delhi Airport, involving one of our employees who was traveling as a passenger on another airline. We extend our heartfelt empathy for the distress it has caused, and strongly condemn such behaviour. The concerned employee has been removed from official duties with immediate effect, and appropriate action will be taken pending thorough investigation. While we refrain from public comments while due process is followed, please be assured this matter has our highest attention. We remain fully committed to provide due cooperation to law enforcement authorities to ensure a fair and thorough process,” the airline said in the statement.
Dewan also alleged coercion by airport authorities. He claimed he was pressured into signing a letter stating that he would not pursue the matter further. According to him, this was done to ensure he could board his SpiceJet flight on time and avoid losing over Rs 1 lakh in family holiday bookings.
Dewan questions Delhi Police
Dewan questioned the response of law enforcement and posted, “Delhi police, why can’t I file a complaint after coming back? Will the CCTV footage disappear in the two days till I make it back to Delhi?” he wrote on X. The Delhi Police later acknowledged awareness of the incident through social media but said no formal complaint or FIR had been filed by Dewan or the airline as of the latest update.
Dewan also criticised what he described as systemic mismanagement at the airport, particularly the practice of combining staff lanes with those for passengers travelling with infants. He argued that such arrangements create unnecessary friction in high-security zones.