Accused allegedly threatened to crash plane, flight delayed by nearly two hours; booked under aviation safety laws
Bengaluru: A 36-year-old Ayurvedic doctor was arrested on Tuesday after allegedly creating a major disruption aboard an Air India flight from Bengaluru to Surat, triggering panic among passengers and delaying the flight for nearly two hours. The incident unfolded on Air India Flight IX2749, scheduled to depart from Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) in the afternoon.
The accused, a resident of Shivanahalli near Yelahanka, reportedly bypassed the airline’s check-in counter and attempted to carry two pieces of baggage directly onto the aircraft — a violation of airline regulations. After boarding, she stored her luggage in the first row but refused to sit in her assigned seat, leading to a confrontation with the cabin crew.
Hostile Behaviour and Security Threat
The situation escalated rapidly when the woman allegedly became argumentative and made threatening remarks, including a statement about “crashing the flight.” Alarmed by her behavior, the flight crew alerted the captain, and security personnel were called in. Boarding had commenced around 2:45 PM, but due to the incident, the departure was delayed by almost two hours.
The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) removed the passenger from the aircraft, and a formal complaint was lodged by Agnimitra Bahinipati, Associate Manager of Security at KIA.
Charged Under Aviation Safety Laws
Following the complaint, the police booked the accused under the Suppression of Unlawful Acts Against the Safety of Civil Aviation Act, 1982, along with Sections 351 (criminal intimidation) and 353 (public mischief) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
However, the disruptions did not end there. According to police, the woman continued her aggressive behavior at the KIA police station, verbally abusing and manhandling officers. “This was the first time we encountered such abuse inside the station,” said a senior police official.
History of Disruptive Behaviour
Her husband, who works at an educational institution in Bengaluru and hails from Odisha, was called in for assistance. He informed authorities that the woman had ceased practising medicine and was en route to Gujarat to visit family. He also confirmed that she had displayed similar erratic behaviour in public on previous occasions.
Police are now examining her medical history and investigating whether she has a pattern of past misconduct.
