Shiv Sena MP Ravindra Gaikwad refuses to speak on Air India row, summoned by Uddhav Thackeray

Mumbai: Shiv Sena parliamentarian Ravindra Gaikwad, who was forced to board a New Delhi-Mumbai train on Friday, after all major airlines in the country put him on their no-fly list for assaulting a senior Air India official.

When questioned by a reported about his alleged brawl with an Air India official in the flight, the Shiv Sena MP refrained from speaking on the  row and said, "Either Uddhav Thackeray or Anil Desai will speak on it."

On Thursday, Gaikwad abused and assaulted a 60-year-old duty manager of the national carrier with his slippers, venting his anger after he was denied business class on a Pune-New Delhi Air India flight on Thursday.

Air India and five private airlines banned the 56-year-old MP for Maharashtra’s Osmanabad from flying as he refused to apologise for the incident that triggered a nationwide outrage.

Also, Air India cancelled the MP's return ticket to Mumbai for the 4.15 pm flight on Friday, however Gaikwad booked an IndiGo flight through an agent.

The private airline too cancelled the booking, forcing him to take the August Kranti Express, which leaves for Mumbai from Hazrat Nizamuddin station in the Capital at 4.50pm.

"Gaikwad is booked on berth number 21 in the AI compartment. It appears that officials granted him spot reservation for being an MP, after he reached the station," a railway spokesman said.

Meanwhile, the Delhi Police has registered two FIRs against Gaikwad culpable homicide not amounting to murder. 

Gaikwad faces arrest after the FIRs were lodged. 

But Delhi Police spokesperson Dependra Pathak said, "Let the crime branch start the probe and establish their case. They will follow legal procedure."

When asked about the party's stand on Gaikwad hitting an Air India employee with a slipper on Thursday, Raut told a press conference, "The Shiv Sena can never support Ravindra Gaikwad's behaviour. But there should be an inquiry to find out why our MP was forced to behave this way."

"Hitting anybody can never be the culture of the Sena, but we will surely raise our hand wherever required," Raut added.

Hitting out at Air India for blacklisting “unruly” Gaikwad, Raut said the AI "needs to introspect" and should mull "what would happen if the public decides to blacklist the airline".

WATCH: Shiv Sena MP refrained from speaking on his alleged brawl with an Air India official

#WATCH: Shiv Sena MP Ravindra Gaikwad refrains from commenting further on Air India row,says Uddhav Thackeray or Anil Desai will speak on it pic.twitter.com/wfNaOtoae9 — ANI (@ANI_news) March 24, 2017