The case, filed under sections related to voluntarily causing hurt and wrongful restraint in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, stems from an incident on December 19. Passenger Ankit Dewan alleges that Sejwal, who was off-duty and traveling with his family, punched him during a dispute over queue-jumping at a security checkpoint.
Dewan, who was heading to a holiday trip with his wife, seven-year-old daughter, and infant, claims he was directed to use a staff lane due to the stroller. When airline staff, including Sejwal, cut ahead, Dewan objected. The argument quickly escalated, with Sejwal allegedly abusing him verbally—calling him "anpadh" or illiterate—before turning physical.
Photos shared by Dewan on social media showed blood on his face and Sejwal's shirt. A subsequent CT scan revealed a displaced fracture in his left nasal bone. "He beat me in front of my daughter and ruined our holidays," Dewan told reporters, adding that the child remains traumatized.
Sejwal's side disputes this account. His lawyer claims Dewan initiated the abuse, made caste-based remarks, and threatened the pilot's family. The altercation, they say, was mutual and resolved on-site with CISF personnel, where both signed statements declining legal action.
Air India Express swiftly suspended Sejwal and issued a show-cause notice. The airline condemned the behavior and set up an external inquiry panel. The Civil Aviation Ministry also ordered a probe, grounding the pilot immediately.
Police are interrogating Sejwal and reviewing CCTV footage. Cross-complaints have surfaced, but the FIR targets the pilot based on Dewan's formal complaint.
The episode has sparked outrage online, highlighting tensions at busy airport security lines and expectations of professionalism from aviation staff, even off-duty.
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