Steward key witness in airhostess assault

The day after four crew members of Air India—two pilots, an airhostess and a flight purser—came to blows in the cockpit and galley of a Sharjah-Delhi-Lucknow flight, Delhi Police made one of them a witness in the case, reports HT Correspondent.

The day after four crew members of Air India—two pilots, an airhostess and a flight purser—came to blows in the cockpit and galley of a Sharjah-Delhi-Lucknow flight, Delhi Police made one of them a witness in the case.

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On Saturday, an airhostess had pressed charges against pilots Commander Ranbeer Arora and Captain Aditya Chopra for allegedly trying to molest her inside the cockpit. The stewardess said when she resisted, the pilots pushed her out.

Amit Khanna, a flight purser, had intervened when he reportedly saw the air-hostess being manhandled by the two pilots. Medical reports confirmed she was assaulted.

“Since Khanna was the only person we know who saw the exchange, we have decided to make him a witness in the case. But we are looking for passengers who may have seen the scuffle," said a Delhi Police officer.

Taking to TV channels outside the Air India office on Sunday, Amit Khanna said, "I was hit on my nose when I tried to intervene."

Air India ordered an enquiry into the matter. The appointed three-member panel met for eight hours on Saturday and through Sunday. Versions of all parties involved were heard.

Delhi police—who have not yet been able to question anyone involved in the case—are now waiting for the report that was submitted to Air India management late Sunday evening.

“We are conducting our own probe too. A case has been registered for voluntarily causing hurt, molestation, passing derogatory remarks and outrage of modesty and a charge of common intention. No arrests have been yet made,” said Joint Commissioner (operations) Satyendra Garg.