KOCHI — A passenger aboard a Kuala Lumpur-to-Kochi international flight was arrested early Thursday morning after allegedly attempting to force open an emergency exit, damaging an interior window panel, and threatening fellow passengers and cabin crew during transit. The accused, identified as Jamsheer Athanikkal, a resident of Koottanad in Palakkad district, was travelling on Batik Air flight OD231 on Wednesday evening when the mid-air disturbance occurred between 9:30 PM and 11:05 PM.
According to police authorities and statements from Cochin International Airport Limited, cabin crew members intervened promptly during the flight to restrain the passenger and restore order on board. Upon landing at Cochin International Airport at approximately 2:40 AM on Thursday, Central Industrial Security Force personnel immediately detained Athanikkal before transferring him into the custody of the Nedumbassery Police.
Following a complaint lodged by Batik Air’s security in-charge at Kochi, local police formally arrested the passenger and registered an First Information Report. Athanikkal faces charges 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 endangering public safety. Airport authorities confirmed that after technical inspections and minor window panel repairs, the aircraft was cleared for safe operational service and departed on its scheduled return flight.
