Gaikwad should look into his own heart, says victim

The 60-year-old Air India manager, who was assaulted by Shiv Sena MP Ravindra Gaikwad, on Friday said the lawmaker has to look into his own heart and realise what he has done.

Recounting his ordeal, R Sukumar, the airline’s duty manager at Delhi airport, said the MP started hitting him with his sandals while he was trying to reason with him – asking him to alight from the aircraft as it was to be prepared for its flight to Goa.

"I requested him to deboard the aircraft as the cleaning staff had to do their work. While I was talking to him he started hitting me with slippers. Everyone tried to stop him but he kept hitting me with his slippers. The crew members tried to stop him but he hit me with the slipper and also pushed me," he said.

Soon after the incident, the airline official said, he submitted a report about it to Air India chairman and managing director Ashwani Lohani.

"If there is a law then action should be taken. He is an MP chosen by people and he should behave properly with everyone," he said.

"He has to look into his own heart and feel what he has done," Sukumar said.

When asked whether the incident would have an impact on him, Sukumar said he was "not scared" at all.

"We are into customer service and we have to deal with them. At times, customers are not satisfied. We cannot help it all the time. Then we will tell them we will keep their concerns in mind and improve," he said.