Air India denies assault on Italian DJ, says there was 'a minor scuffle' but no one was attacked

NEW DELHI: National career Air India on Friday denied allegations made by an Italian DJ that she was assaulted by its ground staff member at the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) in Hyderabad recently.

Issuing a statement, Air India said that though there was a scuffle, no one was physically attacked.

On August 19, Italian DJ Olly Esse had posted a video on her Facebook account, claiming that her flight was delayed by nine hours and no response was given to her when she asked for help. 

The Italian further alleged that she was slapped by the ground staff member of the Air India.

"Our flight to Mumbai on Sunday (August 19) was delayed. Following that, the Italian lady (Esse) approached Air India SATS, who directed her to another counter. The lady from AI SATS, which is our outsourced agency at RGIA, was being filmed by the Italian DJ. So she objected to it and raised her hand to stop the filming and the mobile slipped from the Italian lady's hand and was caught by her. It didn't fall down," the airline said in a statement.

"She (Esse) accused the AI SATS girl of assault. CISF also intervened and told the Italian lady that she cannot film the staff," the statement added.

The national carer further stated that Esse was allegedly agitated because of the delay. 

"She (Esse) complained about police inaction, so the police enquired into the matter and after watching the CCTV footage concluded there was no assault," the statement from the airline said.