As of now, IndiGo has not issued a public statement regarding the allegations.
Gurugram, Haryana: A 35-year-old trainee pilot with IndiGo Airlines has filed a police complaint alleging caste-based discrimination and professional harassment by three senior officials at the airline. The pilot, who belongs to a Scheduled Caste, accused the officials of making deeply offensive remarks about his caste and attempting to force his resignation through systemic victimisation.
An FIR has been registered against the accused officials – Tapas Dey, Manish Sahni, and Captain Rahul Patil – under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
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The complaint was initially filed in Bengaluru, where a zero FIR was registered. It has now been transferred to DLF-1 police station in Gurugram, Haryana, where IndiGo’s corporate office is located, and the alleged incident took place.
In his complaint, the pilot has recounted a disturbing meeting on April 28 at Emaar Capital Tower 2, IndiGo’s Gurugram office. He alleged that Dey demanded he leave his phone and bag outside in a “demeaning manner”.
During the 30-minute meeting, he claims the officials told him, “You are not fit to fly an aircraft, go back and stitch slippers. You are not even worthy of being a watchman here.” The pilot has said these remarks were not only professionally humiliating but also casteist in nature, designed to degrade his identity and push him toward resignation.
He further alleged a pattern of targeted harassment, including unjust salary deductions, repeated retraining mandates without justification, and unwarranted warning letters. Despite raising the issue with IndiGo’s internal ethics committee and senior management, he claims no action was taken, prompting him to seek police intervention.
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Assistant Dalwinder Singh stated that an investigation into the matter has already begun and the statements of all parties involved will be recorded soon.
As of now, IndiGo has not issued a public statement regarding the allegations. However, the airline’s website outlines a workplace policy rooted in diversity, equity, and inclusion. “Our diversity equity and inclusion efforts are designed to attract, nurture, and advance the lives of our employees and customers irrespective of their – but not limited to – gender, race, colour, religion, caste, creed, ethnicity, origin, language, social and economic status, sexual orientation, differently-abled status, marital status, nationality, age, family status, and maternity status,” reads the note on IndiGo’s website.
