Archive · 6 Aug 2026
Kochi-Bound Flight Passenger Arrested for Attempting to Open Emergency Exit
A man was on an airplane flying from Kuala Lumpur to Kochi.
While the plane was high in the sky, he kicked and broke the window panel near the emergency exit.
He also tried to open the emergency exit door, which is very dangerous.
He shouted threats at other passengers and the flight crew, which scared everyone on the plane.
The flight attendants and some passengers stopped him and held him back.
It took a lot of effort to move him away from the door.
The pilot landed the plane safely at Cochin International Airport.
Security officers took the man into custody when the plane landed.
The police arrested him, and he is expected to be produced before a court.
Police are still trying to figure out why he did it.
Jamsheer Athanikkal, 36, was arrested for allegedly trying to force open the emergency exit of Batik Air flight OD231 from Kuala Lumpur to Kochi and threatening fellow passengers and cabin crew.
He allegedly kicked and shattered the emergency exit's window panel with his foot while the aircraft was in flight on Wednesday night, triggering panic among passengers.
Cabin crew and fellow passengers intervened and restrained him, with considerable effort required to move him away from the exit.
The flight landed safely at Cochin International Airport at around 11.10 pm, where CISF personnel took him into custody and later handed him over to Nedumbassery Police Station.
He was booked under Section 351(3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Section 11A of the Aircraft Act, and Section 118(e) of the Kerala Police Act; police said preliminary findings do not indicate alcohol consumption.
- Who
- Jamsheer Athanikkal, a 36-year-old Indian national from Palakkad district currently living in Sreemoolanagaram and working in the hospitality sector in Malaysia; he was detained by Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel after landing.
- What
- He allegedly attempted to force open the aircraft's emergency exit, kicked and shattered the exit's window panel, and threatened fellow passengers and cabin crew, endangering the safety of those on board.
- When
- Wednesday night between approximately 9.30 pm and 11.05 pm while the aircraft was in flight; he was arrested after the flight arrived early Thursday.
- Where
- On board Batik Air flight OD231 (Boeing 737) travelling from Kuala Lumpur to Kochi, which landed at Cochin International Airport.
- Why
- The motive is under investigation; police said preliminary findings do not indicate alcohol consumption.
- Accused
- Jamsheer Athanikkal, 36, native of Palakkad, residing in Sreemoolanagaram
- Airline and Flight
- Batik Air flight OD231 (Boeing 737)
- Route
- Kuala Lumpur to Kochi
- Seat
- 12A
- Incident Time
- Wednesday night, approximately 9.30 pm - 11.05 pm, mid-flight
- Landing
- Cochin International Airport at approximately 11.10 pm; CISF detained him after arrival at about 2.40 am
- Legal Provisions
- Section 351(3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Section 11A of the Aircraft Act, Section 118(e) of the Kerala Police Act
- Case Registration
- Complaint lodged by Batik Air's Security In-Charge at Kochi
Sources
Kochi-bound flight passenger arrested for trying to open emergency exit mid-air
‘Felt like doing so…’: Man smashes emergency exit window panel mid-air
Passenger arrested for attempting to open emergency exit on Kochi-bound flight
Passenger arrested for attempting to open emergency exit on Kuala Lumpur-Kochi flight
Passenger Arrested for Trying to Open Emergency Exit on Kuala Lumpur-Kochi Flight
Passenger tries to open emergency exit mid-air, arrested
