Indian man threatens to kill cabin crew on Singapore-bound flight, arrested

An Indian national, Kolathu James Leo, 42, was arrested for creating a disturbance and threatening to kill a cabin crew member while he was intoxicated on a Singapore-bound flight from Sweden on February 27.

According to police reports, the man behaved in a threatening manner while onboard the flight. It was reported that he grabbed the wrist of a cabin crew member and verbally threatened to kill them while the crew member was attempting to calm him down.

The flight landed at Singapore's Changi Airport, where the police reportedly arrested the man. He has been charged with several offences, including using criminal force against a flight attendant while under the influence of alcohol, jeopardizing good order and discipline, and criminal intimidation for threatening to cause death, as per reports.

If convicted of using criminal force against a crew member, he could face up to three months in jail and a fine of up to SGD 1,500 (~₹95,600), according to Singaporean law.

Threatening to kill another person can result in a maximum of 10 years in prison and a fine. Additionally, being under the influence of alcohol on a flight could lead to up to a year in jail and a fine of up to SGD 20,000 (~₹12.74 lakh).