Varanasi, September 22: A passenger on Air India Express flight IX-1086 from Bengaluru to Varanasi experienced a commotion on Monday when later attempted to open the cockpit door during flight.
The pilot, considering it a potential security threat, immediately informed Air Traffic Control (ATC) and did not open the cockpit door. Upon the plane’s safe landing at Varanasi airport, the CISF detained the passenger and is currently interrogating him.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Gomti Zone) Akash Patel told the media that a group of nine passengers, led by a young man named Shivkumar, had come to Varanasi from Bengaluru for religious pilgrimage. Initial investigations revealed that all the passengers, including the accused, were traveling by air for the first time.
DCP further informed during interrogation, the young man revealed that he wanted to use the washroom and, having mistakenly misreading the code machine located near the cockpit instead of the washroom, accidentally pressed a button, which attempted to open the cockpit door. However, the cockpit door did not open, and the situation was brought under control in time.
Police and CISF investigations so far have revealed no suspicious items on passengers or in their luggage. The accused is being interrogated.
According to the police, given the seriousness of the incident, a thorough investigation is underway, and further action will be taken based on the available facts.