Mid-air ruckus by flier

An Air India flight (IX-473) from Kozhikode to Bahrain had to be diverted to Mumbai because of a passenger attempting to open the aircraft door, physically assaulting, abusing other passengers and creating a commotion.

- MEGHA KUCHIK

The accused, identified as Abdul Nadukkandiyil, 25, from Kerala, was handed over to the security department by the crew after the pilot landed the aircraft at Mumbai Airport. The flight then then continued to Bahrain. The incident took place on June 1, and a case was registered at the Sahar police station the same day.

According to the police report, Air India flight IX-473 departed from Kozhikode at 10.10am for Bahrain. The accused, Abdul, was travelling on the flight, seated at 15T. Around noon, he went to the back of the plane and, without reason, physically assaulted the crew members and attempted to open the door of the aircraft. The crew tried to convince him that it was dangerous for everyone on the flight and brought him back to his seat. He then started to abuse other passengers, physically assault them and threatened to open the door of the aircraft.