GURGAON, June 2025: A trainee pilot at IndiGo Airlines has filed an FIR against three senior officials—Tapas Dey, Manish Sahni, and Capt. Rahul Patil—alleging severe caste-based harassment at the corporate office in Gurugram. vishwavani.news+5ndtv.com+5timesofindia.indiatimes.com+5news9live.com
The 35-year-old pilot, who belongs to a Scheduled Caste, alleges that during a 30-minute meeting on April 28, he was told:
“You are not fit to fly a plane, go stitch shoes. You aren’t even fit to serve as a watchman here.” ndtv.com+1news9live.com+1news9live.com
He also accuses the officials of professional victimisation through salary cuts, forced retraining, and unwarranted warning letters—actions he views as deliberate attempts to push him into resignation. According to the complaint, internal reports to higher authorities and IndiGo’s ethics panel were ignored. ndtv.com+1news9live.com+1
The Zero FIR, first lodged in Bengaluru, has now been transferred to Gurugram Police. The complaint was registered under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, which addresses caste-based discrimination. timesofindia.indiatimes.com+2ndtv.com+2news9live.com+2
IndiGo has not yet issued an official response. The incident highlights broader concerns around discrimination in aviation, questioning the effectiveness of anti-discrimination policies in even the most modern corporate environments.
✅ FAQs
Q1. Who is involved in the FIR?
Three senior IndiGo officials—Tapas Dey, Manish Sahni, and Capt. Rahul Patil—are named in the FIR under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. news9live.com+1timesofindia.indiatimes.com+1ndtv.com+1news9live.com+1
Q2. What casteist remarks were made?
The pilot was allegedly told, “You are not fit to fly a plane, go stitch shoes. You aren’t even fit to serve as a watchman here.” timesofindia.indiatimes.com+4ndtv.com+4news9live.com+4
Q3. Where was the FIR registered?
He filed a Zero FIR in Bengaluru on June 23, which has since been forwarded to the Gurugram police for investigation. ndtv.com+1news9live.com+1
Q4. What other issues are alleged?
The pilot claims unequal treatment, including unjustified pay cuts, forced retraining, and warning letters—ostensibly to pressure him into quitting. timesofindia.indiatimes.com+2ndtv.com+2news9live.com+2
Q5. Has IndiGo responded?
As of now, IndiGo has not issued any official statement addressing the allegations.
✅ Conclusion
This case brings to light critical questions about caste bias and workplace equity within the aviation sector. As investigators examine the allegations under the SC/ST Act, it also challenges how corporations enforce and live up to their diversity, equity, and inclusion commitments.
published on 23rd june
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