New Delhi, 19 Dec 

An off-duty Air India Express pilot has been suspended pending investigation after allegedly assaulting a fellow passenger at Delhi airport on Friday, sources said.

The incident, which occurred near the security area at Terminal 1, came to light after the passenger shared details of the altercation on social media, along with photographs showing injuries on his face and identifying the pilot.

In a statement, Air India Express said it was aware of the incident involving one of its employees, who was travelling as a passenger on another airline at the time.

“We unequivocally condemn such behaviour. The employee concerned has been removed from official duties with immediate effect, pending investigation. Appropriate disciplinary action will be initiated based on the findings of the inquiry,” the airline said.

The passenger, Ankit Dewan, alleged that Air India Express captain Virender Sejwal physically assaulted him at Terminal 1 of the Delhi airport. Dewan said his seven-year-old daughter, who witnessed the incident, remains traumatised.

According to Dewan, airport staff directed his family to use a staff security lane as they were travelling with a four-month-old infant in a stroller. He claimed the pilot and other staff were cutting the queue and that a verbal altercation broke out after he objected.

In his post on X, Dewan alleged that the pilot used abusive language and later assaulted him, leaving him bleeding.

The passenger further claimed that he was compelled to write a letter stating he would not pursue the matter further, allegedly under pressure to avoid missing his flight and losing ₹1.2 lakh worth of holiday bookings.

“It was either write that letter or miss my flight,” Dewan wrote, questioning why he could not file a complaint later and whether CCTV footage would remain available.

Sources said the off-duty pilot later boarded an IndiGo flight to Bengaluru. It was not immediately clear what action, if any, was taken by airport authorities or police following the incident.