IndiGo Delhi-Pune Flight: Case Filed After Passenger Tampers With Emergency Exit Lever Cover

A passenger allegedly tampered with the emergency exit lever cover on an IndiGo Delhi-Pune flight shortly after take-off, triggering an alarm and prompting police to register a case against him.

The incident occurred around 12.45 am on Monday, shortly after IndiGo flight 6E6884 departed from Delhi. The aircraft landed safely in Pune at around 2 am.

The accused has been identified as Gaurav Satyendra Rautela, 33, a resident of Saswad in Pune district. He was seated in 19D, next to the emergency exit.

Passenger Claims He Acted Out of Curiosity

Senior Police Inspector Govind Pawar of the Airport Police Station told IANS that during preliminary questioning, Rautela claimed he had touched the lever cover out of curiosity.

He reportedly told police that he was unaware that the cover was connected to the aircraft's emergency exit mechanism.

As soon as he touched the cover, an alarm sounded inside the aircraft, alerting the cabin crew.

Pawar said tampering with the emergency exit mechanism could put the lives and safety of passengers on board at risk. He added that the alarm system is part of the aircraft's safety protocol and alerts the crew to such incidents.

IndiGo Crew Member Files Police Complaint

Following the incident, IndiGo crew member Omkar Vinod Kulkarni lodged a police complaint against Rautela.

Police subsequently registered a case and issued a notice to the passenger under Section 35(3) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).

He has also been booked under Section 125 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Section 25 of the Aircraft Act.

Police Recall Similar Incident in 2024

Pawar said a similar incident had also been reported in 2024, following which police registered a case.

Police are investigating the latest incident to establish the circumstances surrounding the passenger's actions.