Leaving me bloody: Passenger alleges assault at Delhi airport, Air India Express grounds pilot

Mangalore Today News Network

New Delhi, December 20, 2025: A SpiceJet passenger has accused an Air India Express pilot of physically assaulting him when he objected to the pilot cutting the boarding queue.

The passenger identified as Ankit Dewan, posted a photo on X with blood on his face. He said his seven-year-old daughter saw the assault and remains traumatised by it. The incident happened at Delhi airport’s Terminal 1.

Dewan said he and his family, including his four-month-old daughter, were directed to use the staff security check-in line as they were travelling with a baby in a stroller.

“The staff was cutting the queue ahead of me. On calling them out, Capt. Virender, who himself was doing the same thing, asked me if I was anpadh (uneducated), and couldn’t read the signs that said this entry was for staff," Dewan said, adding a verbal altercation followed.

Referring to another post on X in which he identified the pilot, Dewan said, “Not able to exercise restraint, the AIX [Air India Express] pilot proceeded to physically assault me, leaving me bloody. The blood in the photograph on his shirt is also mine."

In his post, Dewan also questioned how authorities and the airline could allow such pilots to continue flying, saying that if they are unable to remain calm during a scuffle, they cannot be trusted with the lives of hundreds of passengers in the air.

He raised concerns over alleged mismanagement at Delhi airport, asking how staff entry points were combined with passenger security lines for those travelling with infants, creating chaos in a sensitive security zone.

Dewan alleged that he was coerced into writing a letter stating that he would not pursue the matter further.

“… It was either write that letter, or miss my flight and throw the Rs 1.2 lakh holiday bookings down the drain," he said.

He tagged the Delhi Police’s official handle and asked, “Why can’t I file a complaint after coming back? Must I sacrifice my money too, to seek justice? Will the CCTV footage disappear in the next two days till I make it back to Delhi?"

AIX Pilot, Capt. Vijender Sejwal pic.twitter.com/Ntp1pnDgdb

— Ankit Dewan (@ankitdewan) December 19, 2025

Air India Express issued a statement saying that it “unequivocally condemns 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 airline said the employee was travelling as a passenger on another airline and was involved in an altercation with a fellow passenger.

“Air India Express upholds the highest standards of conduct and professionalism, and remains committed to ensuring that its employees act responsibly at all times," the airline said.

Delhi airport, responding to Ankit Dewan, said it was deeply concerned by the experience he had shared and expressed regret over the distress caused to him and his family.

The airport authorities said the issue had been formally escalated to the concerned authorities for immediate review and appropriate action, adding that passenger safety and well-being remain their highest priority and that such incidents would be addressed with utmost seriousness.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Civil Aviation has ordered an immediate enquiry into the assault case by Ankit Dewan. DG CISF and DG BCAS have been asked me to submit a report to the Ministry about the episode.

Air India Express has been directed to immediately ground the pilot, with the Ministry conveying its instructions to the airline’s management in clear and unequivocal terms.

No Complaint Filed

Delhi Police stated that no formal complaint has been filed either by Ankit Dewan or the airline in response to the social media post by @ankitdewan on X alleging physical assault by an Air India Express pilot at Terminal-1 of the airport.

“No such matter has been reported to the police station either by @ankidewan or by the airlines. The matter has come to the knowledge of the police through this social media post. Whenever a written complaint is received by the victim, in this regard, appropriate legal action will be taken," the police said.