Will not apologise to AI staffer: Shiv Sena MP

New Delhi, March 24

Shiv Sena MP Ravindra Gaikwad, who has admitted to assaulting an Air India staffer  25 times with his slippers, on Friday said that he will not apologise for his act as he was not at fault.

 “I will not apologise, why should I? First ask him (victim) to apologise then we will see,” said the MP.

Ravindra Gaikwad also said that he will make sure that he travels in an Air India flight to Pune at 4.15 today, for which, he has a booking.

The Shiv Sena MP on Thursday repeatedly hit an elderly Air India officer with his sandal in a brazen burst of fury over being unable to travel business class despite having insisted on boarding an all-economy flight. 

#WATCH: Shiv Sena MP R.Gaikwad who assaulted AI Staff says, "won't apologise,not my mistake. Vo (victim) pehle maafi mange fir dekhenge." pic.twitter.com/T8IwCaNsmO

— ANI (@ANI_news) March 24, 2017

The Lok Sabha MP from Maharashtra’s Osmanabad, slapped and, by his own claim, hit 60-year-old duty manager Sukumar 25 times with his sandal when the official went to persuade him to disembark after he refused to alight, holding up the aircraft for over 40 minutes.

The national carrier has filed two FIRs against the MP, known for his strong-arm tactics, while Shiv Sena has sought an explanation from him. While one FIR relates to assault, the other is for holding up the aircraft.

Reacting on the same, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday dubbed it as "highly condemnable" and called out for a strict action to be taken against the MP. —Agencies