Air India Express Pilot Assault Case: Accused Pilot Reacts To Allegations, Says Flyer Used "Casteist Remarks"

The clash involving an Air India Express pilot and a passenger at Delhi airport has turned into a larger debate, with both sides now releasing sharply different accounts. A law firm speaking for Captain Virender Sejwal claims the public narrative around the Air India Express pilot incident is distorted, while passenger Ankit Dewan continues to allege an unprovoked assault.

The legal statement argues that media and online posts have "misrepresented a personal incident" and framed it as a "pilot vs passenger" fight. According to the firm, the Air India Express pilot incident has been wrongly tied to aviation duties even though it allegedly occurred while both individuals were simply travellers in a security queue at Terminal 1.

Air India Express pilot incident described as personal dispute, not work-related

The statement stresses that "Capt. Virender Sejwal was travelling as a passenger. He was not on flight duty, nor was the incident connected in any manner to his professional responsibilities. It was a purely personal matter between two passengers,". Representatives say linking the Air India Express pilot incident to Sejwal’s job is inaccurate and unfair.

The law firm further says social media outrage rests on an "one-sided, incomplete misrepresentation of facts". It alleges that "Mr. Ankit Dewan has selectively presented facts to create a false narrative, wrongly implying a professional conflict and attempting to sensationalise a settled issue, Whereas casteist remarks were made against Capt Sejwal, and absolutely unfathomable threats were made to female members of his family including a child," during the Air India Express pilot incident.

Passenger’s version of Air India Express pilot incident at Delhi airport

On the other side, Dewan has posted a detailed account on X, claiming Captain Sejwal attacked without justification. Dewan says he was travelling with family, including a four-month-old daughter in a stroller, when airport staff directed them to a security lane normally used by employees, triggering the dispute that led to the Air India Express pilot incident.

Describing the Air India Express pilot incident online, Dewan wrote, "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. A verbal scuffle broke out,". Dewan says the argument quickly escalated.

Dewan further alleged that "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,". Images shared after the Air India Express pilot incident appeared to show Dewan with facial injuries and blood on clothing, intensifying public concern.

Captain Sejwal’s camp disputes that version, saying Dewan initiated the clash by swearing at Sejwal "without provocation". The statement alleges Dewan "continued using abusive, degrading and threatening language even after being asked to stop". It adds that the situation during the Air India Express pilot incident then became physical and that Sejwal also suffered injuries in the scuffle.

According to the statement, Central Industrial Security Force personnel stepped in during the Air India Express pilot incident and tried to cool tempers. It says CISF officers repeatedly urged Dewan to calm down but that Dewan allegedly kept abusing Sejwal in front of security staff. The statement claims this showed a pattern of misconduct rather than a one-sided attack.

Later online, Dewan claimed he was "forced" to give up any case after the Air India Express pilot incident. Dewan wrote, "It was either write that letter, or miss my flight and throw the 1.2 lakhs holiday bookings down the drain," suggesting he had little real choice when signing the document at the airport.

The response from Sejwal’s side insists the Air India Express pilot incident ended through mutual agreement. The statement says "Both parties 'voluntarily signed a statement' confirming that they did not wish to pursue any legal action. Contrary to misleading claims, Mr. Ankit Dewan signed willingly, there was no coercion or pressure involved," and describes Dewan’s later allegation as inaccurate.

Backing that version, the statement says "The CISF has publicly confirmed on 'X' that their officers acted promptly, offered the gentlemen the opportunity to file formal complaints, and that it was voluntarily declined. Allegations of any force or bias against CISF are incorrect and unfounded,". This reference is presented as official support for how the Air India Express pilot incident was handled on the ground.

Sejwal’s representatives also criticise attempts to draw Air India Express into the personal quarrel. The statement says, "This personal incident has no connection whatsoever with his employer or professional duties. Attempts to associate the company's name are unwarranted and appear aimed solely at gaining social media attention on an otherwise settled personal issue," arguing the airline is being unfairly dragged into the Air India Express pilot incident.

Despite that, the airline has already reacted to the Air India Express pilot incident. Air India Express said it "unequivocally condemns such behaviour" and confirmed that "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," indicating an internal process is underway.

The final part of the statement says "Capt Sejwal has full faith in authorities that he will not be denied justice and the incident will be looked at impartially considering all facts and without the overbearing social media narrative. Capt. Sejwal requests that the media and public rely only on verified facts and refrain from circulating one-sided or misleading content that may harm reputations or distort true facts," as scrutiny of the Air India Express pilot incident continues both offline and online.