Air India pilot is suspended for shoplifting

New Delhi: In a shocking incident that triggered swift action, Air India has suspended its Regional Director (Eastern Region) Rohit Bhasin, who is also a senior pilot, for allegedly shoplifting a wallet from a duty free shop at Sydney airport on June 22, officials said on Sunday. Mr Bhasin was rostered as one of the commanders (pilots) of Air India flight AI301, which was set to depart on June 22 from Sydney airport for Delhi.

The Air India Spokesperson said, “There is an initial report of one of its captains Mr Rohit Bhasin, who is also working as a regional director, picking up a wallet from a duty free shop in Sydney. Air India has instituted an enquiry into this incident and has placed the captain under suspension. Air India lays the highest stress on proper conduct of its staff and has a zero tolerance policy towards acts of impropriety.”

The suspension order issued by Air India on Saturday to Mr Bhasin stated, “It has been reported by regional manager Australia that you allegedly committed an act of shoplifting from a duty free shop at Sydney airport before the departure of flight AI301 of 22nd June, 2019, from Sydney airport for which you were rostered as one of the Commander.”

The Air India order added, “Without prejudice to any disciplinary action to be initiated against you and pending enquiry, you are hereby placed under suspension with immediate effect. You will not enter the premises of Air India Ltd. without written permission of the management. You will not leave your station (Kolkata).”