Kerala: Man booked for attempt to murder after trying to force open flight's exit door

Police have added an attempt-to-murder charge against a passenger who allegedly tried to open the emergency exit of a Kuala Lumpur-Kochi flight, damaged its window panel and threatened fellow passengers and cabin crew, officials said on Saturday.

Jamsheer Athanikkal of Koottanad in Palakkad, who was travelling on Batik Air flight OD231 from Kuala Lumpur to Kochi on Wednesday, allegedly tried to force open the aircraft's emergency exit, damaged its window panel and threatened fellow passengers, endangering the safety of those on board. Cabin crew intervened and restrained him, police said. He was arrested on arrival at the airport on Thursday.

Officials at Nedumbassery police station said the case was initially registered under Section 351(3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for criminal intimidation, Section 11A of the Aircraft Act for violating safety or security directions, and Section 118(e) of the Kerala Police Act for acts endangering public safety.

"However, as the act of the accused could have endangered the lives of the co-passengers, we have invoked an attempt-to-murder charge against him. He has to be questioned in detail as part of the probe," an officer said.

Police plan to file a petition before the Angamaly Judicial First Class Magistrate on Monday seeking custody of Athanikkal for further questioning, and will also seek a test to ascertain his mental condition, an officer said.

During initial interrogation after his arrest, Athanikkal allegedly told police he had felt like dying while travelling on the flight. Police said there was no apparent provocation during the flight that could have triggered his behaviour, and his health history, as well as that of his relatives, is being examined as part of the probe.

"The statements of other passengers on the flight will be recorded. We are also trying to obtain the statement of the cabin crew members, who are currently abroad," the officer said.

Police said Athanikkal had turned violent when produced before the magistrate. He had been working in Malaysia at a company owned by a friend for the past 10 years and was travelling to Kerala to see his newborn child, police said.

Other state and central agencies are also collecting information about Athanikkal, officials said. "If any evidence emerges during the investigation, we will invoke fresh charges and refer the matter to other agencies for a detailed investigation," the officer said. 

(With inputs from PTI)