A senior Air India pilot has been suspended after he was accused of shoplifting a wallet from a duty-free shop while on duty at Sydney airport.
Rohit Bhasin, who was also a regional director for the airline, was suspended with “immediate effect” after news of the incident on Saturday emerged, the Indian Express reported.
“Air India lays the highest stress on proper conduct of its staff and has a zero tolerance policy towards acts of impropriety,” a spokesperson said in a statement.
“There is an initial report of one of its captains Mr Rohit Bhasin, who is also working as a regional director, picked up a wallet from a duty free shop in Sydney. Air India has instituted an enquiry into this incident and has placed the captain under suspension.”
According to the newspaper, Mr Bhasin comes from a family of pilots – his wife and son do the same job – and has been working for Air India for more than 30 years.
A letter from Air India informing Mr Bhasin of his suspension told him to hand over all identity documentation issued by the company and to not enter its premises, according to reports.
Air India has been contacted by The Independent for comment.
