Hyderabad-Guwahati Indigo flight diverted to Bhubaneswar to deboard an unruly passenger

BHUBANESWAR: An Indigo flight from Hyderabad to Guwahati had to be diverted midair to Biju Patnaik International Airport here on Sunday to deboard an unruly passenger. It took off for Guwahati after the passenger was handed over to the police.
Airport sources said the passenger identified as Irshad Ali (22) allegedly breached the safety procedure of the aircraft and didn’t listen to cabin crew’s instructions. He was trying to open the airborne flight’s door forcibly.“The personnel of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) deboarded the passenger and handed him over to airport police. A co-passenger Abdul Karim travelling with him also deplaned voluntarily,” said Indigo’s assistant manager (security) Nihar Ranjan Mohanty in a statement.
Police said Irshad’s mother died on Saturday and he was rushing to attend his mother’s funeral at Guwahati. Irshad works in an ice cream parlour at Hyderabad.
“We verified his antecedents. We also interrogated him as why he resorted to unruly behavior. He didn’t misbehave with any cabin crew. He was only impatient and showing anxiety. He only broke flight’s safety rule for which he was punished as he was deplaned. So, no FIR has been registered against him,” said inspector-in-charge (airport police station) Umakanta Pradhan.
Irshad was taken to Capital Hospital as he showed signs of depression. He will be released from the hospital after doctor’s approval, Pradhan added. “It is up to him to arrange for his returning to Guwahati. No assistance will be provided,” the police officer said.
The flight landed at the airport at 6.10 am and after formalities were over, again took off at 7.13 am. It safely reached Guwahati at 8.30 am, airport sources said.
Airport director Suresh Chandra Hota said, “Flight operation during the emergency landing was normal. The CISF’s Quick Reaction team handled the situation well. We handed over the unruly passenger to police as per the rule. Now it is up to police to handle the case,” Hota told TOI.