New Delhi/IBNS: An Air India flight to London returned to Delhi on Monday after an unruly passenger allegedly harmed two cabin crew members, the airline has said.

The flier has been deboarded and a police case was registered against him.

In a statement, Air India said that a flight to London's Heathrow Airport returned shortly after take-off due to the "serious unruly behaviour of a passenger".

"Not heeding to verbal and written warnings, the passenger continued with unruly behaviour including causing physical harm to two of the cabin crew members," the airline said.

"The pilot in command decided to return to Delhi and the passenger was handed over to the security personnel upon landing. An FIR has also been lodged with the police," it added.

Family members of the passenger, Jaskirat, have claimed that he was mentally unstable.

Stressing that the "safety, security and dignity" of everyone on board is important to Air India, the statement added, "We regret the inconvenience caused to the passengers and have rescheduled the flight to depart for London this afternoon."

The Air India Boeing 787 had taken off at 6.35 am and returned to Delhi at 9.42 am, according to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

The civil aviation regulator is also investigating the incident.