Man opens emergency exit door on Kuala Lumpur-Kochi flight, held

The passenger was first detained by the CISF and later handed over to the Nedumbassery Police for legal action. Representational Pic/File

A passenger has been arrested for allegedly attempting to open the emergency exit of a Batik Air flight from Kuala Lumpur to Kochi, damaging a window panel and threatening fellow passengers and cabin crew during the journey, police said on Thursday, reported the PTI.

The accused has been identified as Jamsheer Athanikkal, who was travelling on Batik Air flight OD231 on Wednesday.

According to the First Information Report (FIR), the incident took place between 9.30 pm and 11.05 pm while the aircraft was in the air.

Police alleged that Athanikkal tried to force open the aircraft's emergency exit and damaged the window panel. He is also accused of threatening passengers, causing panic and endangering the safety of everyone on board.

Cabin crew intervened and restrained him before the situation escalated further.

Passenger arrested after landing

The case was registered following a complaint by Batik Air's Security In-Charge after the aircraft landed at Cochin International Airport early on Thursday, according to the PTI.

The accused was taken into custody after the flight arrived.

Police have booked him under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for criminal intimidation, the Aircraft Act for violating aviation safety directions, and the Kerala Police Act for acts endangering public safety.

Further investigation is in progress.

CISF handed accused to cops

Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL) said that the passenger was first detained by personnel of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) after the aircraft landed at around 2.40 am on Thursday, as per the PTI.

He was later handed over to the Nedumbassery Police for legal action.

According to CIAL, the passenger allegedly damaged a window panel during the flight, triggering panic among fellow travellers, the news agency reported.

Aircraft cleared after inspection

According to the news agency, the CIAL said the airline completed the required inspection and repair work on the aircraft after the incident.

Following the necessary safety checks of the plane, the aircraft was later cleared for service and departed on its return journey.

The police said that the investigation into the incident is continuing.

Further details were awaited.

(with PTI inputs)