After airline ban, Sena MP takes train back to Mumbai

Shiv Sena MP Ravindra Gaikwad had to travel by train today after domestic airlines unitedly "banned" him from flying on their aircraft for assaulting an Air India officer. 

He boarded August Kranti Express for Mumbai from Hazrat Nizamuddin station, said a senior Railway Ministry official. The Sena MP has booked three berths - 21, 22 and 23 - in coach number A-1 of AC II tier of Mumbai Rajdhani. He is accompanied by a person, said the official. 

He said the MP's companion was unwell and attended by a doctor at Mathura station. The train is expected to reach Mumbai around 10 AM. 

Gaikwad had yesterday beaten up 62-year-old Duty Manager R Sukumar with slippers over not being able to fly business class despite having boarded an all-economy flight. 

Taking retributive action, the national carrier cancelled Gaikwad's return ticket to Pune after he boastfully asserted he would board the afternoon flight. Private airline IndiGo followed suit as, in an unprecedented show of unity, several air operators imposed a "ban" on him. 

The Federation of Indian Airlines, which has Jet Airways, SpiceJet, IndiGo and GoAir as its members, issued a statement declaring it has decided to "ban" the MP from flying on its aircraft. 

The non-FIA member airlines - AirAsia India and Vistara - also came out in support of the ban, which left Gaikwad "grounded" in the national capital. Meanwhile, a FIR has been registered against him on the basis of the complaint lodged by Air India for repeatedly hitting Sukumar with sandals.

• Ravindra Gaikwad
• Shiv Sena
• Air India