Indus Valley Times

Mumbai,Mar 12 : A citizen of the United States with Indian origin has been booked for smoking in the lavatory of a Mumbai-bound Air India flight from London and misbehaving with his fellow passengers and crew members mid-air on Friday.

Thirty-seven-year-old Ramakant has been booked by Mumbai’s Sahar Police Station for his actions. According to the Mumbai Police, a case has been registered under Indian Penal Code (IPC) Section 336 (whoever does any act so rashly or negligently as to endanger human life or the personal safety of others) and Aircraft Act 1937, 22 (refuse to follow a lawful instruction given by the Pilot-in-Command), 23 (assault and other acts endangering safety or jeopardizing good order and discipline) and 25 (for smoking).

“Smoking is not allowed on flights, but as he went to the washroom, the alarm went off, and the crew ran towards the washroom to find him holding a cigarette in his hand. We immediately threw the cigarette,” a crew member of Air India told the Sahar Police.

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“Then, Ramakant started shouting at all our crew members. Somehow, we took him to his seat. But after some time, he tried to open the door of the aircraft. All the passengers got scared because of his behavior and he started acting gimmick on the flight. He was not ready to listen to us and was shouting. Then we tied his hands and legs and made him sit on the seat,” the crew member added.

“One person among the passengers was a doctor. He came and checked him. Then Ramakant said that he had some medicine in his bag. We didn’t find any but an e-cigarette was recovered while checking the bag,” the police added.

Upon landing, the passenger Ramkant was transferred to the Sahar Police, where he was detained and charged with multiple sections of the IPC. According to authorities, the suspect is of Indian descent but holds a US passport and is a citizen of the United States of America.

“We have sent the sample of the accused for medical test to confirm whether he was in an inebriated state or mentally disturbed,” the police added.

AIR INDIA CONFIRMS INCIDENT, ASSURES COOPERATION DURING PROBE

An Air India spokesperson confirmed the incident and said, “A passenger on our flight AI130, operating from London to Mumbai on March 10, was found smoking in the lavatory. Subsequently, he behaved in an unruly and aggressive manner, despite repeated warnings.”

Assuring cooperation during the investigation, he said, “He was handed over to the security personnel upon the flight’s arrival in Mumbai. The regulator has been duly informed of the incident. We are extending all cooperation in the ongoing investigations.”

“Air India follows a zero-tolerance policy for any behaviour that compromises the safety and security of passengers and staff,” the spokesperson said.

-PTI