Passenger Injured in Alleged Assault by Pilot at Delhi Airport

The Delhi Police have confirmed they received a medical report detailing the injuries sustained by a passenger allegedly assaulted by an off-duty Air India Express pilot at Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI) last week. The incident has sparked significant media attention and public concern.

On Monday, a First Information Report (FIR) was filed after the victim, Ankit Dewan, submitted a written complaint regarding the assault. Dewan took to social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter) on Friday to share his experience, claiming he was attacked by Captain Virender Sejwal in Terminal 1 of the airport. He further alleged that the incident occurred in front of his seven-year-old daughter, who was reportedly left frightened by the altercation.

A senior police official stated, "We approached airport authorities and have collected the CCTV footage which shows the assault. We also sent the victim for a medical report and have received it. It shows a nasal fracture among other bruises and injuries. We have also called the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) staff to give their statement as they were the first to intervene."

Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) for IGI Airport, Vichitra Veer, confirmed that Dewan's statement had been recorded and a medical examination conducted. In a post shared on social media, Dewan included an image of himself with visible injuries, blood on his face, and expressed his distress over the incident.

Dewan described the circumstances leading up to the alleged assault, stating that he and his family had been directed to use a security check area typically reserved for staff due to the presence of their four-month-old baby. He claimed that while waiting, he noticed airport staff cutting in line ahead of him. Upon confronting them, he alleged that Sejwal, who was also in line, questioned his literacy and ability to read the signs indicating the area was for employees only. This exchange reportedly escalated into a physical confrontation.

Following Dewan's social media revelations, Air India Express announced the suspension of Captain Sejwal pending an investigation. In a twist to the unfolding situation, police have reported receiving two cross-complaints via email concerning the incident. Sejwal's complaint alleges that Dewan instigated the altercation by verbally abusing him without provocation and continued to use offensive and threatening language.

In response to this claim, police stated they are diligently investigating both sides of the matter. Sejwal has been charged under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including Section 115 for voluntarily causing hurt, Section 126 for wrongful restraint, and Section 351 for criminal intimidation.

Authorities have expressed their commitment to thoroughly examining the evidence, including the CCTV footage, and interviewing witnesses to ascertain the facts surrounding the incident. The case highlights ongoing concerns regarding passenger safety and behaviour at major airports.

The situation remains under investigation, and both parties involved await further developments as the police continue their inquiries.