Archive · 8 Aug 2026
Kerala Man Faces Attempt to Murder Charge Over Flight Door
A man was riding on an airplane from one country to another.
While the plane was high up in the sky, he tried to open the emergency exit door.
That is very dangerous because it could have hurt everyone on the plane.
He also damaged a window and scared the other passengers.
The flight helpers stopped him and held him safely.
When the plane landed, police arrested him.
Police added a very serious charge called 'attempt to murder' because his actions could have harmed many people.
The man told police he felt like dying during the flight.
Police want to check if he needs help for his mind.
They will ask more questions to find out why he did it.
Jamsheer Athanikkal, of Koottanad in Palakkad, allegedly tried to force open the emergency exit of Batik Air flight OD231 from Kuala Lumpur to Kochi.
He also damaged the flight's window panel and allegedly threatened fellow passengers and cabin crew.
Police added an attempt to murder charge, saying the act could have endangered the lives of co-passengers.
He was arrested Thursday on arrival at Kochi airport and reportedly told police he 'felt like dying' during the flight.
Police will seek his custody before the Angamaly Judicial First Class Magistrate on Monday and filed a petition to test his mental condition.
- Who
- Jamsheer Athanikkal, a man from Koottanad in Palakkad, Kerala, who had been working in Malaysia for 10 years.
- What
- Allegedly tried to force open the emergency exit of Batik Air flight OD231, damaged its window panel and threatened fellow passengers; he now faces an attempt to murder charge.
- When
- The flight incident occurred on a Wednesday; he was arrested on Thursday; the new charge was announced on Saturday.
- Where
- On Batik Air flight OD231 travelling from Kuala Lumpur to Kochi, with the arrest at Kochi airport and the probe led by the Nedumbassery police station.
- Why
- The motive is under investigation; he reportedly told police he felt like dying during the flight, and police found no apparent provocation.
- Passenger
- Jamsheer Athanikkal of Koottanad, Palakkad, Kerala
- Flight
- Batik Air OD231 (Kuala Lumpur to Kochi)
- Alleged act
- Forced open emergency exit, damaged window panel, threatened passengers
- Charges
- Attempt to murder; BNS Section 351(3); Aircraft Act Section 11A; Kerala Police Act Section 118(e)
- Arrest
- Thursday on arrival at Kochi airport
- Police station
- Nedumbassery
- Next hearing
- Custody petition Monday before Angamaly Judicial First Class Magistrate
- Background
- Worked in Malaysia for 10 years; returning to Kerala to see his newborn child