Archive · 25 Dec 2025
Air India Express Pilot Assaults Passenger
A passenger named Ankit Dewan was allegedly assaulted by an off-duty Air India Express pilot, Virendra Sejwal, at Delhi's IGI Airport.
The incident happened on December 19, 2025, during a security check when Dewan objected to some staff cutting the queue.
Dewan suffered a nasal fracture and his daughter was traumatized.
The pilot has been issued a show-cause notice and removed from duties.
The police have registered a case and are investigating the matter, including scrutinizing CCTV footage.
The airline is also conducting an internal inquiry.
Both the passenger and the pilot have differing accounts of the incident, with the pilot claiming the altercation was a personal matter and not related to his professional responsibilities.
Air India Express pilot Virendra Sejwal allegedly assaulted passenger Ankit Dewan at Delhi's IGI Airport.
The incident occurred on December 19, 2025, during a security check when Dewan objected to queue-cutting.
Dewan suffered a displaced fracture of the left nasal bone and his seven-year-old daughter was traumatized.
The Delhi Police registered a case under sections 115, 126, and 351 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, and are scrutinizing CCTV footage.
The pilot has been removed from official duties pending an internal investigation, and an external inquiry committee will be formed.
- Who
- Pilot Virendra Sejwal and passenger Ankit Dewan
- What
- Assault on passenger by pilot
- When
- December 19, 2025
- Where
- Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport, Terminal 1, New Delhi
- Why
- Altercation began when Dewan objected to queue-cutting at security checkpoint
Passenger's Account
Pilot's Account
Initiation of Altercation
Passenger's Account
The passenger, Ankit Dewan, objected to the pilot and airline staff cutting the queue at the security checkpoint, leading to a verbal altercation and subsequent assault by the pilot.
Pilot's Account
The pilot, Virendra Sejwal, claims that Dewan verbally abused him without provocation and continued using abusive, degrading, and threatening language even after being asked to stop.
Nature of the Incident
Passenger's Account
The incident is portrayed as an assault by the pilot on a passenger, with the passenger suffering injuries and his daughter being traumatized.
Pilot's Account
The pilot claims the incident was a 'purely personal matter between two passengers' with no connection to his professional responsibilities, and that it has been misrepresented as a 'pilot vs passenger' dispute.
- Pilot Name
- Virendra Sejwal
- Passenger Name
- Ankit Dewan
- Incident Date
- December 19, 2025
- Location
- Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport, Terminal 1, New Delhi
- Injuries
- Displaced fracture of the left nasal bone
- Legal Action
- Case registered under sections 115, 126, and 351 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023
- Airline Response
- Pilot removed from duties, external inquiry committee to be formed
- CCTV Footage
- Scrutinized by police, shows pilot hitting and restraining Dewan
- Medical Report
- Confirms assault on victim Ankit Dewan
- Pilot's Status
- Not on official duty, traveling as a passenger with IndiGo to Bengaluru
Sources
Air India Express Issues Show-Cause Notice To Pilot After Assault On Passenger At Delhi Airport
AI passenger assault: Eyewitness' statements recorded, CCTV footage under scanner
Pilot-passenger scuffle at IGIA: Police start scrutiny of CCTV footage, medical report confirms assault
