Man Assaults Co-passengers on Dubai-Mangalore AIE Flight

13 October 2009

Forty-five minutes after the Dubai-Mangalore Air India Express IX812 took off to Mangalore from Dubai, a passenger identified as Mohammed Ashraf (28) of Puttur, went totally out of the control and began attacking other passengers and the cabin crew. 

One of the cabin crew noticed that Mohammed Ashraf (28) was sitting stiffly and pressing his nose with his fingers and tried to help him. Ashraf instantly lost his temper and began attacking the other passengers. He kicked them, spat on them, and abused them verbally. Soon, other passengers and the cabin crew succeeded in overpowering him. 

When Ashraf came to his senses, he apologized for his abnormal behavior. However, half an hour later, he went out of control again and began running up and down the aisle, abusing everybody and demanding that the door be opened. He was again overpowered and restrained to his seat with scarves, seat belt, and blankets till the plane landed at Bajpe. During the landing, Ashraf freed himself and had to be overpowered once again. 

He was handed over to the CISF, who later transferred him to the Bajpe Police. Ashraf, who was employed as a driver in Dubai for the past 2 years, was allegedly suffering from stress because he was not granted any leave for Id. 

Manager of Air India Express Chellam Prasad told reporters that the cabin crew was worried about the safety of the passengers, especially the children and women. Two of the cabin crew and a few passengers sustained slight injuries owing to the incident. Ms. Prasad expressed her gratitude for passengers Ramakrishna, Bhaskar, Nikhil Mahale, and Madhukar for helping the cabin crew to overpower and restrain Ashraf. 

Bajpe Police registered a case against Ashraf under IPC sections 323 and 504. On Sunday evening, Ashraf was released on bail.