A disconnected auto pilot during cruise isn't necessarily something very special. Some pilots even might do it when you are in the cockpit as a visitor, to show you how smoothly and easily the airplane can be handled manually at high speed and high altitude.
But even if it happens unintentional, it doesn't mean that safety was a concern. If the attitude/roll/speed/vertical speed changes, it will be recognised by the pilots, unless nobody is in the cockpit, which is more than an unlikely scenario. Not to mention that a disconnection of the auto pilot will be recognised in any case, since one can't fail to hear it.
Also, I consider the allegation, that the cockpit was unoccupied for 40 minutes, pure nonsense.
So, what did happen due to auto pilot disconnection? Obviously nothing. After all this seems to be a silly season news release, making an elephant out of a minor incident.
My guess: although not appropriate, the cockpit crew obviously had fun with the cabin crew in the cockpit. I doubt that safety was a concern at any point in time. Air India is a big airline, operating a modern fleet. And they didn't record more losses than some other big airlines in history. So for now I don't buy this news.
