NEW DELHI: Bihar MP Pappu Yadav ’s allegedly unruly behaviour with an airhostess on a Patna-Delhi Jet Airways flight on Tuesday forced the captain to seek priority landing in the capital and ask for security presence at the arrival gate.

Yadav’s ire was directed at a senior airhostess who tried to enforce mandatory safety rules, and the lawmaker reportedly threatened to beat her with his ‘chappal’. The airhostess has complained in writing to the airline, certified as “true and authentic” by the captain . “This is shameful and if a VIP manhandles our crew and gets away free of any charge,” the captain’s note says. TOI has a copy of the complaint.

The LS member, recently expelled from Lalu Yadav’s RJD, though denied the incident. “Complaint thane mein kyon nahin ki? Hamara koi matter nahin hai. The crew had an issue with four other business class passengers. Un chaaron se baat kariye aap,” Pappy Yadav nee Rajesh Ranjan told TOI.

The crew’s troubles with Yadav and his aide, the complaint says, began at boarding time. Yadav, a ‘VVIP’ MP, was the last to enter the plane. The parliamentarian and his assistant reportedly refused to put his seat in upright position and switch off his cell phone despite being told repeatedly.

“While having lunch on the flight, 1A (Pappu’s seat number) dropped the dessert on his bag kept near his feet and asked the crew to clean it. (He) told the crew MPs don’t do this work. 1A took off his chappal and showed it (to) the crew. Told the crew he would hit them with it if the crew told him anything,” the written complaint says.

The harried senior inflight supervisor informed flight 9W 728’s Captain Rajesh Singh Sehgal about Yadav’s behaviour. Captain Sehgal alerted Delhi air traffic control that an unruly passenger was on board and sought “immediate vector” — in simple language asked to be put ahead of other planes lined up for landing in Delhi. Security personnel were present at the arrival gate when the plane landed.

“For landing, 1A refused to upright his seat and unfastened his seat belt… After opening doors, 1A manhandled me and pushed me aside with force to get out of the aircraft…. I went to the cockpit to inform the captain. I was in tears and physically hurt,” the complaint says.

“The captain immediately came out of the cockpit and instructed passengers to return to their seats as Mr Rajesh Ranjan was shouting on top of his voice — ‘I’m an MP and you can’t do anything to me’,” it adds.

Captain Sehgal asked security personnel to take Yadav away from the plane so that other flyers could alight. Confirming the incident, a Jet Airways spokesman said: “The Captain of flight 9W 728, before landing at Delhi requested ATC for security assistance at the gate due to a disruptive guest on board. The guest was led by security agencies on arrival.”

However, no action may be taken against disruptive flyers of this flight as the crew did not file a police complaint till the time of going to press. Sources said the crew want Jet Airways, with whom they have lodged their complaint, to take further action. Jet sources, however, the crew has to file complaint and the airline will back them up.

But given Pappu’s political clout — his wife is also an MP — airline sources say the crew may not muster courage to do so.

