'Not scared of MP Gaikwad or Shiv Sena, I was doing my job,' says AI manager who was assaulted

Air India Duty Manager Sukumar, who was assaulted by Shiv Sena MP Ravindra Gaikwad on Thursday, asserted on Friday that the elected representatives need to behave in a decent manner.

"They are public servants, who are elected by the people. They need to behave in a decent manner be it indoors or out," Sukumar said. "I am not scared at all, either with Gaikwad or with the Shiv Sena. I have been serving public and have also faced many who get irritated on such issues. It's a common thing for me," he added.

Sukumar further said that he had requested Gaikwad to deboard the aircraft as cleaning staff had to complete their work following which he got angry. "I had requested him (Shiv Sena MP Ravindra Gaikwad) to de-board the aircraft as the cleaning staff had to complete their work. On which he got furious and raised his hands," said Sukumar.

Earlier in the day, the Centre also took cognizance of the incident and assured a thorough probe into the matter. Meanwhile, Gaikwad remained unapologetic about the incident and dared the Delhi Police to arrest him. The MP from Osmanabad in Maharashtra also downplayed reports suggesting that Air India is considering banning him from boarding its flights.

Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray has sought a report to determine the facts before he decides on what happens next for Gaikwad. Shiv Sena on Thursday had said that it does not tolerate violence.

Gaikwad was travelling from Pune to New Delhi when scuffle broke out over the sitting arrangement. The MP claimed that his ticket was for business class but Air India provided him economy class.