A passenger on an IndiGo flight was charged after allegedly trying to open the aircraft’s emergency exit just before landing at Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport in Varanasi, forcing the pilot to abort the landing and climb back into the air, officials said. The flight touched down safely a few minutes later.
The passenger was detained and questioned by several security agencies before being released, officials said. During initial interrogation, the accused told police he had been under the “influence of a ghost,” according to officers. He later claimed he did not realize that pressing the emergency exit button could open the aircraft door.
Officials stated that IndiGo flight 6E-185 (aircraft VT-IRW) from Bengaluru was nearing Varanasi airport at about 10:20 pm on Saturday when a passenger allegedly attempted to open the emergency exit door just moments before landing.
Responding quickly, the pilot initiated a go-around, preventing any possible danger. The plane later touched down safely at around 10:35 p.m. The event caused panic among the more than 100 passengers on board.
Officials said the passenger, identified as 26-year-old Mohammad Adnan, had previously tried to interfere with the emergency exit soon after the flight took off from Bengaluru, but was subdued and calmed by the cabin crew. After the safe landing, the accused was turned over to the airline’s security staff and the CISF, who then handed him to the local police in line with security procedures.
He was charged under Section 125 (an act that endangers the life or personal safety of others) following a complaint lodged by IndiGo assistant security manager Devanshu Pratap Singh, according to Phulpur station house officer (SHO) Atul Kumar Singh.
Confirming the development, deputy commissioner of police (Gomti Zone) Akash Patel said, "Following questioning, a notice was issued to the accused passenger, who was subsequently released into the custody of his parents. The investigation is still in progress."