MOPA, GOA — A 32-year-old passenger was arrested and booked by the Goa Police after he was allegedly caught smoking a ‘beedi’ inside the lavatory of an Akasa Air flight from Delhi. The incident took place on Saturday, March 7, 2026, aboard flight QP1625, creating a significant safety scare mid-air and prompting an immediate response from the airline crew.
The accused, identified as Ashish, a resident of Delhi, was reportedly found in possession of a lighter and a hand-rolled cigarette (beedi) during the journey to the coastal state. According to a statement released by Akasa Air on Sunday, the cabin crew detected the smoke and followed established safety protocols, immediately notifying the cockpit and monitoring the passenger until the aircraft landed at the Manohar International Airport (Mopa).
Legal Action and Safety Risks
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Criminal Charges: A case has been registered at the Mopa Airport police station under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Suppression of Unlawful Acts against Safety of Civil Aviation Act.
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Safety Violation: Police officials emphasized that the use of a lighter and smoking in the confined space of an aircraft lavatory posed a severe risk to the safety of the aircraft and the lives of the passengers on board.
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Airline Response: Akasa Air confirmed that the individual was handed over to local authorities upon arrival and stated they are extending “full cooperation” to the ongoing investigation.
Under current aviation regulations, smoking—including the use of electronic cigarettes—is strictly prohibited on all domestic and international flights. Passengers found violating these norms often face a “no-fly list” ban in addition to criminal prosecution. The Goa Police are currently investigating how the passenger managed to bypass security at the Delhi airport with a lighter and tobacco products in his possession.
