Police in Kerala have officially added an attempt to murder charge against a passenger who allegedly attempted to open an emergency exit gate during an international flight from Kuala Lumpur to Kochi. The accused, identified as 34-year-old Jamsheer Athanikkal of Koottanad in Palakkad district, was traveling aboard Batik Air flight OD231 on Wednesday night when he reportedly went on a violent rampage inside the cabin.
According to police officials at the Nedumbassery police station, Athanikkal attempted to force open the aircraft's emergency exit door, damaged the surrounding window panel, and verbally threatened both fellow passengers and flight crew members. Cabin crew and passengers intervened immediately, overpowering and restraining him until the aircraft safely touched down at Cochin International Airport around 2:40 a.m. on Thursday. Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel detained Athanikkal upon arrival and handed him over to local police.
Escalation to Attempt to Murder Charges
While initial legal proceedings were filed under charges of criminal intimidation and public safety endangerment, investigating officers determined that the suspect's violent actions posed a catastrophic risk to the entire aircraft and its occupants.
Speaking on the legal escalation, a senior police officer involved in the investigation stated: "However, 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. He has to be questioned in detail as part of the probe."
The case was originally registered under Section 351(3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for criminal intimidation, Section 11A of the Aircraft Act for violating flight safety directions, and Section 118(e) of the Kerala Police Act for committing acts that knowingly endanger public safety. The inclusion of Section 109 of the BNS (attempt to murder) significantly increases the legal severity and potential prison sentence faced by the accused.
Investigation Into Motive and Mental Health Evaluation
Preliminary medical examinations conducted shortly after the arrest confirmed that Athanikkal was not under the influence of alcohol during the flight. Police noted that there was no apparent operational provocation or dispute on board that triggered his volatile behavior.
During initial interrogations, Athanikkal allegedly told officers that he "felt like dying" while traveling on the flight. Investigators revealed that the accused had been working at a hotel in Malaysia owned by a friend for the past decade and was returning home to Kerala to see his newborn child. Due to erratic behavior shown when produced before a magistrate, law enforcement authorities plan to file a formal petition before the Angamaly Judicial First Class Magistrate seeking police custody and ordering a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation.
"We will also file a petition to conduct a test to ascertain his mental condition," an investigating officer explained, adding that police are reviewing his personal health history, examining his family background, and recording formal witness statements from co-passengers and Batik Air cabin crew members.
Aircraft Safety and Operational Status
Following the incident, security teams and engineering staff at Cochin International Airport conducted thorough inspections of the Batik Air aircraft to assess damage caused to the emergency exit window panel.
Statements issued by Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL) confirmed that the airline initiated all necessary safety procedures in accordance with civil aviation regulations. Following required technical inspections and structural repairs to the damaged panel, the aircraft was certified as fully airworthy and cleared to resume scheduled flight operations.
What’s Next in the Legal Proceedings
Nedumbassery police will present Athanikkal before the Angamaly Judicial First Class Magistrate on Monday to request extended police custody for custodial interrogation and to secure orders for his medical examination.
Investigators are also coordinating with central intelligence and aviation security agencies to compile a complete profile of the accused. If further evidence or security concerns surface during the ongoing probe, authorities indicated that additional statutory charges under aviation security laws may be filed.