Passenger says pilot thrashed him, left him ‘bloody’ in front of his 7yo. But what was his crime?

Here’s a travel tip they don’t usually put in the brochures. If you’re at an international airport and someone cuts in front of you at security, maybe just let it slide. Otherwise, you might end up looking like you went a few rounds with Mike Tyson.

That’s allegedly what happened to one unlucky dad whose only crime was calling out line-jumpers at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport. And get this: the person Ankit Dewan called out was none other than an off-duty Air India Express pilot who proceeded to show him a masterclass in airport hospitality by introducing his fist to Dewan’s face.

Apparently, the Dewan family, on their way to catch their SpiceJet flight for what should’ve been a relaxing holiday, were directed to use a boarding lane typically reserved for staff, because they were wrestling with a stroller. Fairly reasonable, right? Except things didn’t go quite as the on-site officers had intended.

When Dewan noticed staff members, including Captain Virender Sejwal, cutting in line, he spoke up. Sejwal’s response was to immediately resort to name-calling, allegedly asking Dewan if he was “anpadh”—uneducated—and couldn’t read the signs indicating the lane was for staff. Which, you’ve got to admit, couldn’t have been part of the good captain’s de-escalation training. Nothing screams “I’m the mature professional here” quite like calling a total stranger illiterate.

The verbal sparring reportedly escalated until the pilot “proceeded to physically assault me, leaving me bloody,” according to what Dewan wrote on his X account. He posted photos showing blood streaming down his face, plus shots of what he claims is his own blood decorating Sejwal’s white shirt. Bold fabric choice for a fistfight, Captain.

Some reports indicate that Dewan made unsavory remarks about Sejwal’s mother during the exchange. If true, that definitely merits a side-eye. But was this a valid crashout? Here’s the thing about being a guy entrusted with keeping hundreds of souls alive at 35,000 feet on a daily basis: “He insulted my mom” probably shouldn’t send you into a rage spiral.

Dewan says, per The Print, that his daughter was left in “deep shock and trauma” after the incident. And worse, he claims airport authorities pressured him to sign a letter promising not to pursue the matter in any legal capacity, or miss his flight and kiss goodbye to the roughly $14,000 he’d spent on vacation bookings. As for the police, they claim their only knowledge of the incident came through social media. Welcome to 2025, folks, where going viral is apparently step one of the justice system.

Air India Express has shared the following message to address the incident.

Dewan’s holiday is probably ruined at any rate, but I guess the real question is whether Captain Sejwal will face any consequences. Most jobs don’t require a temperament check. “Guy who makes sure your plane stays airborne” probably should.