Gurgaon, India: A trainee pilot working with IndiGo Airlines has filed a First Information Report (FIR) at the DLF Phase 1 police station in Gurgaon, accusing three senior officials of making casteist remarks and subjecting him to retaliatory workplace actions.
The complainant, a Scheduled Caste individual employed on a training contract with the airline, alleged that the officials made humiliating caste-based remarks in a professional setting. As per the FIR, one of the officials reportedly told him, “You are not fit for aircraft. Go stitch slippers.” The remarks, allegedly made during an office interaction, were perceived as derogatory and casteist in nature.
The trainee pilot further stated that after he objected to this treatment, he faced retaliation from the company. He claims that parts of his salary were deducted without valid explanation and that he was forced to undergo retraining sessions, which he believes were designed to demoralize him. According to the FIR, these measures were not aligned with standard procedures and were aimed at pushing him out of the system.
The pilot had earlier submitted a formal complaint to the company’s human resources department, but allegedly received no response or resolution. He then approached the police, who have since registered an FIR under provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, as well as applicable sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
Police officials at the DLF Phase 1 station confirmed to The Times of India that the FIR was registered and an investigation is underway. Investigators will examine email communications, office CCTV footage, HR records, and will also record statements from the complainant, the accused, and any potential witnesses.
As of now, IndiGo has not issued an official statement in response to the allegations. The names of the three accused officials have not been disclosed publicly. No arrests or internal suspensions have been reported so far.
The case comes at a time when several industries in India, including aviation, are being urged to improve workplace diversity and implement stronger mechanisms against bias and harassment. While public cases of caste discrimination in the corporate aviation sector are rare, this incident may prompt both regulatory and internal scrutiny of organizational policies.
