Ravindra Gaikwad had assaulted an Air India manager, hitting him "25 times" with his slipper.
Highlights
- Sena MP Ravindra Gaikwad booked a business class seat in Air India flight
- Air India imposed ban on Mr Gaikwad after he hit their employee in March
- Later, he apologised in parliament after which Air India revoked the ban
Just days after Air India revoked the ban imposed on Shiv Sena MP Ravindra Gaikwad for assaulting an airline staffer, the lawmaker is flying a business class seat on the same flight between Pune and Delhi for Monday morning, authroties have said.
A source at Air India dismissed the possibility of Mr Gaikwad losing his cool once again because of non-availability of business class seats. "The summer schedule kicked in on 26 March as per which we are flying the newly acquired A320 neo planes on this route. This aircraft has business class," the source said to the Press Trust of India. The lawmaker has booked an open ticket, allowing him to fly on any date on the same route.
On March 23, Mr Gaikwad assaulted an Air India manager,
hitting him "25 times" with his slipper. The MP insisted on travelling business class on an all-economy flight. Following the incident, the national carrier along with four leading private carriers blacklisted Mr Gaikwad from flying, till he apologised for the assault.
On Thursday,
Mr Gaikwad told the Lok Sabha that while he apologises to parliament if he has "hurt its image" with his actions but "not to him (Air India office)." Next day,
Air India revoked the ban on the lawmaker after written instructions from the Civil Aviation Ministry. Unaware that the ban has been lifted, Mr Gaikwad boarded the
Delhi to Mumbai Rajdhani Express the same day.
While lifting the ban, the national carrier emphasised that it is "committed to ensuring its employees are not assaulted or misbehaved with." The national carrier also said that it would take strong action to preserve the dignity of its employees.
(With inputs from agencies)