Updated
New Delhi, Mar 24 (PTI): Shiv Sena MP Ravindra Gaikwad said today he would file a defamation case against the Air India CMD and its staffer R Sukumar, who he allegedly thrashed, if they do not apologise for bringing "ignominy" to him.
Speaking to PTI, Gaikwad said he plans to file the case at a court in Osmanabad (Maharashtra), his Lok Sabha constituency, next week against the "main officials" of Air India for allegedly defaming him.
He has also filed a complaint at the airport police station against the airline officials for allegedly misbehaving with him.
"I have made a written complaint with DCP Sanjay Bhatia... I will file a defamation case against the CMD (Chairman & Managing Director) and officers (of Air India) next week for bringing ignominy to me across the country by spreading false information against me, besides insulting me.
"Now they will come to apologise to me there (in court). I will not sit quiet until they apologise," Gaikwad said.
Referring to the police complaint filed against him by Air India, he claimed the FIR cannot be registered against him without the approval from the Lok Sabha Speaker as Parliament is in session.
The Sena lawmaker said he has also raised the issue with Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju, urging him to take action in the matter.
Hitting out at Sukumar, Gaikwad reiterated that the Air India staffer "misbehaved" with him and said the footage of the CCTV camera installed in the aircraft concerned can be checked to verify "who was at fault".
"The other AI employees kept telling him (Sukumar) that I was not at fault. Yet, he was arrogant, misbehaved with me..he spread false information that I misbehaved over seat issues," he added.
Gaikwad also said that he has already discussed the entire episode with his party leadership.
Confirming the filing of a complaint by the MP, a senior Delhi Police officer said, "He has given a complaint to DCP (Airport) against Air India officials alleging that they misbehaved with him by pushing him. He has also alleged that they didn't give him Business Class seats and instead made him sit in Economy Class."
Gaikwad is in the eye of a storm for repeatedly hitting the 60-year-old employee of Air India yesterday with a sandal.
Earlier Report
Defiant Sena MP says he won't apologise over plane incident
New Delhi, Mar 24 (PTI): An unrepentant Shiv Sena MP Ravindra Gaikwad today said that he would not apologise to the Air India staffer whom he assaulted, and instead blamed the airline employee for the incident. The MP drew more flak today, with four private Indian carriers banning him from flying, while Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathy Raju promised that action would be taken against him.
Gaikwad told reporters at the Maharashtra Sadan here this morning that he has no regret over his actions, saying "kaahe ka pashchaataap (what is there to repent)?" "I will not apologise...he (AI Manager Sukumar) should come and apologise... then we will see. A 60-year-old man should also know how to behave," he said.
Gaikwad said he went out to watch a Bollywood movie -- 'Badrinath ki Dulhaniya' -- last night to "relax" himself after journalists sought his reaction over the incident. "Tension-free hona chahiye na...you also watch the movie...it's very good," he said. The first-time lawmaker also said he had made the Parliament "proud", when asked if his act has brought shame to the temple of democracy.
Meanwhile, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan said she cannot take suo motu action and that she will take a call if it is brought to her notice in the House. "I always say every human being should behave in a nice manner with everyone...whosoever it is, your behaviour should be good with everyone. As a mother I would suggest that to everyone. I will understand everything and then I will comment," she told reporters before entering the house.
Gaikwad also said that he has had no conversation with his party chief Uddhav Thackeray since the incident and added that he has written to the Lok Sabha Speaker and the Civil Aviation Minister regarding the incident. Yesterday Gaikwad had repeatedly hit a 60-year-old Air India officer with sandal over being unable to travel business class despite having insisted on boarding an all-economy flight. The national carrier has filed two FIRs against the MP, while the Shiv Sena has sought an explanation from him.
"Police can arrest me...my party, Uddhav saheb will take care of it," he said. Raju said the incident "should never have happened". "It was an unfortunate incident. It should never have happened. What has to happen (now), will happen. I am not saying no action has to be taken. Action has to be taken and we will do it. That is not the problem at all. "I am also an MP. We are not above the law and we have to follow the law of the land," he told reporters outside the House.