- A passenger was restrained with zip ties after attempting to open a Batik Air emergency exit mid-flight.
- The aircraft was cruising at thirty thousand feet when the suspect kicked and damaged the exit window panel.
- Kerala Police have added an attempt-to-murder charge following the passenger’s violent behavior during a court appearance.
A 36-year-old Indian passenger allegedly tried to open an emergency exit during Batik Air flight OD 231 on Wednesday, August 6, 2026, prompting crew members and fellow passengers to restrain him before the aircraft reached Kochi. Kerala Police added an attempt-to-murder charge on Saturday, August 8.
Jamsheer Athanikkal was seated in 12A, an emergency-exit-row seat, during the flight from Kuala Lumpur to Kochi. The Boeing 737-800 was reportedly cruising between 30,000 and 35,000 feet when the incident occurred.
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The flight carried approximately 145 people. Athanikkal allegedly kicked and broke the exit window panel, then tried to open the door.
Crew members and passengers overpowered him and used zip ties to secure him for the remainder of the flight. The aircraft later landed safely at Cochin International Airport, where Central Industrial Security Force personnel detained him and handed him over to the Nedumbassery Police Station.
A police officer said Athanikkal gave investigators a brief explanation for his actions.
“He said he felt like doing so at that moment.”
The officer also said Athanikkal told police he was returning home to see his newborn. Aiswarya G R, another passenger, described the episode in a social-media post as “disturbing and terrifying.”
Matty Mathew, who was also aboard, described hearing the disturbance and the sound of air escaping from the cabin.
“We were woken up by a loud and frightening sound of air gushing. At that moment, we had mentally accepted death.”
The cabin panel broke, but pressure kept the door closed
The door did not open while the plane was at cruising altitude. Pressure inside the aircraft held it shut, although damage to the window seal could have threatened the aircraft’s structure.
The airline confirmed that the incident caused “minor cosmetic damage” inside the cabin. Police said Athanikkal damaged the panel before attempting to operate the door.
The disturbance occurred between 9:30 p.m. and 11:05 p.m. during the Kuala Lumpur-to-Kochi journey. Passengers and crew restrained Athanikkal after he resisted efforts to stop him.
The airline’s security-in-charge at Kochi airport, Bindu Mohan, filed the complaint that led to the case. Police initially booked Athanikkal under Section 351(3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for criminal intimidation, Section 11A of the Aircraft Act for violating safety directions and Section 118(e) of the Kerala Police Act for risking public safety.
Kerala Police added an attempt-to-murder charge after the arrest
Police added the further charge on Saturday, August 8, saying the alleged conduct could have endangered everyone aboard.
“As the act of the accused could have endangered the lives of the co-passengers, we have evoked an attempt to murder charge against him.”
The allegation also includes threats toward passengers and crew members who intervened. Authorities have not described the charge as a finding of guilt.
Cochin International Airport Limited confirmed that CISF personnel detained Athanikkal after the flight arrived. Officers then transferred him to the Nedumbassery police.
Police found no alcohol and no earlier warning signs
Athanikkal is from Kootanad in Palakkad, Kerala, and works in Malaysia’s hospitality sector. He had been employed there for approximately 10 years.
He was traveling to visit his newborn child. Authorities said there had been no prior indication of erratic behavior during boarding, and no alcohol was detected in his system.
The incident occurred during a trip between Malaysia and India. The flight’s scheduled route placed the investigation with police in Kerala after the passenger was handed over at the airport.
The magistrate ordered psychological and psychiatric testing
Athanikkal was produced before the Angamaly Judicial First Class Magistrate after his detention. During the proceeding, he allegedly became violent and tore his own bail application in front of the judge.
The court ordered a comprehensive psychological and psychiatric evaluation to assess his mental state at the time of the alleged conduct.
The case now includes the three initial provisions and the additional charge entered on August 8. The evaluation will form part of the proceedings arising from the incident on flight OD 231.
