Delhi Police will seek legal opinion on whether an FIR can be registered against Shiv Sena MP Ravindra Gaikwad who today allegedly attacked an Air India staff with his slippers over seating issues.
Gaikwad, the Lok Sabha MP from Maharashtra's Osmanabad, slapped and, by his own claim, hit 60-year-old duty manager Sukumar 25 times with his sandal when the official went to persuade him to disembark after he refused to alight, holding up the aircraft for over 40 minutes.
Union Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju wrote on Twitter: "Recd. Report from @airindiain on the incident of unruly behaviour today morning. FIRs have been filed for assault and causing flight delay (sic)."
However, a Delhi Police spokesperson in a statement said: "A complaint has been filed in this regard at PS IGI Airport.
"Another complaint has been filed by Air India which alleged the flight got delayed due to Gaikwad and therefore, action should be taken against him."
"The complaints have been received and legal opinion from prosecution branch is being taken as prima facie no cognizable offence is made out as per contents of the complaints received. Appropriate legal action will be taken as per opinion," he said.
The spokesperson said a medical examination of the complainant has been conducted "but no fresh injury was noticed".
According to an Air India spokesperson, its duty manager at Delhi airport was hit with slippers several times by Gaikwad, who complained about having to travel economy -- on an all-economy flight -- even though he had a business class ticket.
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