Shiv Sena MP Ravindra Gaikwad boards Air India flight, travels business class

Mumbai: Shiv Sena MP Ravindra Gaikwad on Thursday boarded an Air India flight and travelled business class from Hyderabad to Delhi

“Ravi Sir (as Gaikwad, a former teacher, is known in his Osmanabad constituency) travelled business class from Hyderabad to Delhi on Thursday, days after the flying ban was lifted,” Gaikwad's aide said.

On March 23, the flag carrier had placed a ban on flying Shiv Sena MP Gaikwad aboard its planes, after he assaulted a senior manager of AI.

The AIR India had lifted the nearly two-week long flying ban on Gaikwad following direction from the Civil Aviation Ministry.

The Sena MP had tendered a letter expressing `regret` over the incident to Civil Aviation Minister A Gajapathi Raju, following which AI revoked the flying ban, closely followed by Federation of Indian Airlines and other private airlines.

Meanwhile, the national passenger carrier has requested the Delhi Police to hasten its inquiry over the airline`s complaint against the Shiv Sena MP.

According to sources in Air India, the slow progress of the case -- which occurred nearly a month ago -- has affected the morale of the airline`s employees, leading to a "loss of faith" in the rule of law.

The source said: "Unfortunately, the MP against whom the complaint has been lodged has neither been called for questioning nor any action taken against him. Because of the slow progress of the case, the morale of employees is getting down and they are losing faith in the rule of law."

The source said the letter was "hand-delivered" to the office of the Commissioner of Police, Delhi.