Passenger tries to open IndiGo’s emergency exit before landing at Varanasi, claims ‘ghost possession’

A passenger allegedly attempted to open the emergency exit door of an IndiGo flight shortly before landing at Varanasi, prompting the pilot to abort the initial landing and conduct a go-around, officials said on Sunday.

The incident reportedly took place on flight 6E-185 from Bengaluru to Varanasi on Saturday night.

According to officials, Mohammad Adnan from Uttar Pradesh’s Mau district first tried to tamper with the emergency exit door about 15 minutes after take-off. The cabin crew intervened, and he was reportedly warned after claiming it was a mistake.

He remained calm for most of the journey but attempted to open the emergency exit again at around 10.20 pm, when the aircraft was descending and was approximately 500 feet above ground near Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport.

Alerted by the crew, the pilot aborted the landing and executed a go-around before safely landing the aircraft around 10.35 pm.

Passengers were reportedly left shaken by the incident and later thanked the crew for ensuring a safe landing, officials said.

Following standard protocol, Adnan was handed over to airline security personnel and the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), after which the police were informed and a case was registered.

During questioning, Adnan initially said he was unaware of his actions and later claimed he was “possessed by a ghost”, officials said. He also told investigators that he had been returning from a holiday in Goa and did not realise that the handle he pulled operated the emergency exit.

Police said the investigation is ongoing and the accused is being questioned. His family has been informed and is expected to reach Varanasi soon.