An alleged altercation at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport has come under official attention after a passenger accused an off-duty airline pilot of assault during a security queue dispute at Terminal 1. While the incident has triggered widespread discussion online, authorities confirmed that no formal police complaint has been lodged so far by either party.
According to police officials, the matter came to their notice after a detailed social media post by the passenger went viral. They stated that legal proceedings can begin only after a written complaint is submitted, adding that appropriate action will follow once due process is initiated.
The passenger, Ankit Dewan, took to social media to describe the incident, claiming he was attacked after objecting to queue-jumping at the security checkpoint. Dewan said he was travelling with his family, including an infant in a stroller, and was directed by airport personnel to use a priority security lane meant for assisted passengers and staff.
He alleged that confusion erupted when multiple airline staff members entered the same queue ahead of him, leading to a confrontation. Dewan claimed the argument escalated rapidly, during which the off-duty pilot allegedly used abusive language and later resorted to physical violence, leaving him injured. He said he had to seek medical attention following the incident.
The passenger also highlighted the emotional impact on his family, particularly his young daughter who witnessed the altercation. He said the incident overshadowed the beginning of a family holiday and raised serious concerns about behaviour standards among airline crew members, even when they are not on duty.
Beyond the personal allegations, Dewan questioned airport crowd management practices, especially at security checkpoints. He claimed that mixing staff lanes with assisted passenger entry points created unnecessary confusion and tension, increasing the risk of confrontations.
He further alleged that after the incident, he was pressured to sign a declaration stating he would not pursue the matter, warning that refusal could result in missing his flight and suffering significant financial losses. Dewan questioned whether justice would be delayed or denied if he chose to file a complaint after returning from his trip.
In response, Air India Express issued an official statement acknowledging the incident and expressing concern over the allegations. The airline clarified that the individual named was travelling as a passenger at the time and was not on active duty. It confirmed that the pilot has been removed from official duties with immediate effect and that an internal process has been initiated.
