- SUMMARY
- Indian airlines and unruly passenger behavior is a long standing relationship.
- Recently, a passenger high on bhang boarded the aircraft of IndiGo.
- He misbehaved with passengers and crew members, and even tried to open the exit door.
On May 21, a passenger was booked at Hyderabad Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (HYD) for trying to open the emergency door of an IndiGo aircraft. The accused was intoxicated. He misbehaved with the cabin crew and fellow passengers.
IndiGo Passenger: High on Bhang
A 29-year-old man named Anil Patil was traveling from Indore to Hyderabad onboard an IndiGo flight. He went to Ujjain for a pilgrimage. Indore Airport is the nearest to Ujjain, with a distance of just 45-50 kilometers. IndiGo operates three daily flights between Indore and Hyderabad.
The passenger had allegedly consumed bhang before boarding the aircraft. The ingredients of this drink include the female cannabis plant, which causes intoxication. As a result of this, the passenger was under the influence of bhang.
Soon after the departure from Indore Airport, the passenger engaged in a heated argument with the cabin crew members. The crew took note of his unusual behavior and asked him to move to a different seat. After some time, he insisted on moving back to his own seat. He also misbehaved with his fellow passengers.
Mid-air, he tried to open the emergency door of the aircraft. The airline staff and other passengers restrained him from doing so. The cabin crew made sure that he was prevented from sitting near the door.
Booked & Arrested
As expected, the cabin crew members alerted the captain, who informed the ground staff regarding this incident. Upon landing at Hyderabad Airport, security agencies escorted the passenger out.
After a complaint from Senior Executive of IndiGo, Santosh Reddy, a case was registered under Sections 336 and 268 of the Indian Penal Code and Section 10 of the Aviation Act. The charges under these sections include endangering life or personal safety, public nuisance, and endangering the safety and security of an airliner.
However, Patil’s brother reached out to the police and said that his mental condition was not well. He showed evidence of him undergoing medical treatment. Following this, a station bail was granted to Patil. Police have issued him a notice to cooperate with the investigation.
Not The First Time
Such incidents are very common when it comes to India. Many times, first-time flyers are involved in such incidents, who have no idea about the aircraft rules and regulations. Airports and aircraft are sensitive places. One wrong action of passengers can result in their detention.
In India, fake bomb threats and emergency door opening are very common incidents. On May 2, a 22-year-old man named Kaushik Karan was handed over to security agencies after he tried to open the emergency exit door. During the investigation, he claimed that he was a first-time flyer and was not aware of the rules.
Conclusion: IndiGo Pax High on Bhang
A passenger named Anil Patil, traveling onboard IndiGo Airlines was booked and arrested after he misbehaved with the passengers and tried to open the emergency exit door. He was detained but after medical reports of his mental condition were shown, he was provided station bail from RGIA Police Station.
Have you ever witnessed such unruly behavior onboard an aircraft? Discuss in the comment section.
With Inputs From TNIE
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