IndiGo cancels Shiv Sena MP Gaikwad’s Delhi-Pune ticket after Air India snub
Shiv Sena MP Ravindra Gaikwad is expected to arrive at the Delhi airport to catch a flight home. His tickets have been cancelled by Air India and IndiGo. The security at the airport has been tightened to prevent any altercation.
A day after Shiv Sena MP Ravindra Gaikwad assaulted an Air India official and five airlines banned him, the Delhi Police is yet to file an FIR. The police said they are waiting for legal opinion in the matter and cited medical examination as the reason for the delay. Meanwhile, security at Delhi airport was tightened to prevent an altercation in case the MP arrived to catch a flight home.
The MPs return ticket for 4.15pm on Friday was cancelled by Air India on Friday. He then booked an IndiGo flight through an agent which was also cancelled by the airlines.
Gaikwad had, on Thursday, assaulted a 60-year-old duty manager with slipper and tried to push him off the plane. The police said there was delay in filing FIR as the incident did not suggest any injury and sections under IPC could be decided only after the nature of injury is proved.
“We have taken legal opinion in the matter expect to receive it soon. The action will be taken accordingly,” said DCP (airport) Sanjay Bhatia. While the police were yet to take action in the matter, five Indian airlines banned the MP.
The defiant MP had admitted on Thursday that he had hit the official because Air India changed his seat from business to economy class.
The MP refused to come out of the aircraft for almost an hour. He started hitting the staff when he was requested to de-board. Air India said Gaikwad had an open ticket for business class, which means he could have travelled in any Air India flight.