What began as a routine airport security check turned into a disturbing ordeal for a passenger and his family at Indira Gandhi International Airport, after an alleged assault by an off-duty pilot triggered outrage on social media.
Ankit Dewan, who was travelling with his wife, infant daughter and family, has accused an off-duty Air India Express pilot, Captain Virender Sejwal, of physically attacking him at Terminal 1 following a verbal argument over cutting the security queue.
According to Dewan, the incident took place during the security screening process, where airport staff directed his family to use a staff and PRM security lane because they were travelling with a four-month-old baby in a stroller. While waiting in line, Dewan alleged that certain individuals were cutting ahead.
Calling out the behaviour led to a confrontation. Dewan claimed that Captain Sejwal, who was also moving ahead in the queue, questioned him sharply and allegedly asked whether he was &ldquo;anpadh (uneducated)&rdquo; and unable to read the signage.
&ldquo;That ticked me off,&rdquo; Dewan later said. &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t know why he decided to address a passenger as uneducated. Both of us exchanged expletives. This was just a verbal spat and I didn&rsquo;t expect he would come and hit me. That is how it escalated.&rdquo;
The argument soon turned violent. Dewan alleged that the pilot physically assaulted him in front of his family, leaving him bleeding heavily. Visuals later shared by Dewan show him lying on the floor, injured, while the accused pilot is seen standing nearby.
Describing the episode as &ldquo;very disturbing&rdquo;, Dewan said he never imagined something like this could happen inside an airport. &ldquo;I think it is very appalling how things went down and how people are very quick to get physical and you assault somebody. I did not expect this at the airport. It happens on the streets all the time, but at the airport, it's very, very disturbing,&rdquo; he said.
The emotional toll, Dewan said, was especially severe on his family. &ldquo;It was traumatizing for everybody,&rdquo; he said, recalling how his infant daughter appeared frightened during the flight and his wife broke down later that night after holding herself together through the ordeal.
Dewan also alleged that despite clear warning signs, no preventive action was taken by security personnel. In a post on X, he claimed his wife overheard the accused saying, &ldquo;main issko maar ke aata hu&rdquo; (I&rsquo;ll come back after hitting him), while being frisked. &ldquo;But did CISF take any preventive action? No,&rdquo; Dewan wrote.
He further alleged delays in receiving first aid and said he was &ldquo;forced&rdquo; to sign a letter stating he would not pursue the matter, or risk missing his flight and losing holiday bookings worth ₹1.2 lakh. &ldquo;Must I sacrifice my money too, to seek justice? Will the CCTV footage disappear in the 2 days till I make it back to Delhi?&rdquo; he wrote on X, tagging Delhi Police.
Police later stated that they became aware of the incident only through social media and had not received any formal complaint. &ldquo;With reference to a social media post&hellip; No such matter has been reported to the police station&hellip; Whenever a written complaint is received by the victim, appropriate legal action will be taken,&rdquo; the police said.
Despite the chaos, Dewan expressed appreciation for SpiceJet, which he said stayed in &ldquo;constant communication with the gate&rdquo; and ensured he was able to board his flight. The airline responded publicly, saying, &ldquo;Hi Ankit! we are glad that our staff was able to assist you. Thank you for your kind words.&rdquo;
As the video and allegations continue to circulate widely, the incident has sparked renewed debate over passenger safety, conduct by airline staff even when off duty, and accountability within high-security public spaces.

‘Anpadh’ Remark Sparks Airport Assault Row

Passenger alleges assault by off-duty pilot after security queue clash at Delhi airport

‘Anpadh’ Remark Sparks Airport Assault Row

Passenger alleges assault by off-duty pilot after security queue clash at Delhi airport

December 20, 2025 | 17:44 IST