Kerala man tries to open emergency exit on Batik Air flight to Kochi mid-air, arrested
The accused has been identified as Jamshir Athanikkal (34), a resident of Kootanad in Kerala's Palakkad district. Jamshir is an employee at a hotel in Malaysia
A passenger from Kerala onboard a Kochi bound Batik Air flight from Kuala Lumpur was arrested after he allegedly tried to open the aircraft’s emergency exit when it began its final descent to Kochi.
Accused arrested
According to media reports, the accused has been identified as Jamshir Athanikkal (34), a resident of Kootanad in Kerala's Palakkad district. Jamshir, an employee at a hotel in Malaysia, was travelling on Batik Air flight OD 231 when the incident took place between 9.30 pm and 11.05 pm on Wednesday (August 5), reported the Times of India, citing the FIR.
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Jamshir, was sitting on widow seat near the emergency exit, police said adding that as the aircraft began its final descent into Kochi, and he suddenly got up and hit the emergency exit and tried to force it open. He also allegedly threatened fellow passengers who tried to stop him.
Passengers intervene
The accused was eventually overpowered and restrained by passengers and crew members as the aircraft landed safely at Cochin International Airport around 11.30 pm, reported NDTV.
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After the aircraft landed, based on a complaint from Batik Air's security team the CISF personnel took the accused into custody and handed him over to the Nedumbassery police.
FIR details
According to media reports, the FIR stated that the accused was not under the influence of alcohol at the time of the incident and was aware that his actions could put the lives of the passengers and crew in danger.
He has been booked under Section 351(3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for criminal intimidation, Section 11A of the Aircraft Act for violating safety directions, and Section 118(e) of the Kerala Police Act for jeopardising public safety.
According to airport officials required inspection and repairing was carried out by the airline following which the aircraft was cleared for flight operations and departed for its return flight.