On board an IndiGo aircraft an unruly flier has endangered the life of 176 passengers after he pulled open the emergency exit just before the flight was about to reach the runway and was being prepped for take-off.

The incident happened at around 11 am in the Mumbai-Chandigarh IndiGo flight No 6E 4134 at the domestic airport, that was scheduled to depart at 11.40 am. Akshay Ramesh Mohan, the passenger, who was seated in 12C, suddenly opened the emergency exit door and inflated the slide, making the fellow passengers to react in shock, leading to a commotion and an altercation between Mohan and them.

“Just after the boarding got completed, the passenger in 12C suddenly opened the emergency exit door. IndiGo staff on board saw this and alerted the captain. In the melee, the passenger seated on 12A received bruises. The captain immediately informed the ground staff of the situation on board and instructed the team to arrange for medical assistance and take other necessary action. The captain also made an in-flight announcement and immediately switched off the engine. Mohan was handed over to the CISF. Any untoward behaviour compromising the safety of our passengers, crew or the aircraft is of serious concern to us. IndiGo has filed an FIR against this passenger. This matter is now with the local authorities. We regret the inconvenience caused to other passengers on board,” an official statement from the airlines read.

The airport police have arrested the passenger Akshay Ramesh Mohan (31) and is investigating the reason behind his act. An officer said, “The passenger has been booked under section 336 (act endangering life or personal safety of others) of the IPC and relevant section of the Aircraft Act.”

By Premji