“He said he felt like doing so at that moment."
A 36-year-old Indian man was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after allegedly trying to force open an emergency exit door on a plane at 30,000 feet.
Jamsheer Athanikkal was travelling on a Batik Air flight from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, to Kochi, India, on August 5 when the incident reportedly took place.
Hospitality worker Jamsheer was seated in 12A when he allegedly smashed the window panel of an emergency exit “without any provocation” and tried to force the door open while the aircraft was cruising at altitude.
According to reports, police believe he attempted to open the emergency exit because “he felt like it”.
Dramatic footage from inside the cabin showed fellow passengers scrambling to intervene as Jamsheer allegedly tried to wrench open the emergency exit.
Scratch marks were reportedly visible on the window he is accused of trying to force open. When passengers and cabin crew attempted to stop him, he allegedly threatened them before being overpowered.
Following his arrest, Jamsheer Athanikkal reportedly told officers that he had “felt like dying while travelling on the flight”.
Police are now investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident and trying to establish a motive for the attempted murder allegation.
A spokesman for Kochi airport police said: “He said he felt like doing so at that moment. It was not like he had lost his job.
“Jamsheer was a traveller in seat number 12A. Without any provocation, he tried to open the emergency exit and destroyed the exit window panel.
“He threatened the co-passengers and the crew, who tried to prevent him. Later, he was overpowered by the co-passengers and the crew.”
Police said Jamsheer’s actions did not appear to be linked to a personal crisis.
Upon arrival at Kochi Airport, Jamsheer was arrested and charged with criminal intimidation, failure to follow official safety directions and risking public safety.
Police have since added an attempted murder charge.
? BREAKING: An Indian passenger has been arrested for allegedly attempting to open an emergency exit mid-air on a Batik Air flight from Kuala Lumpur to Kochi.
According to authorities, 36-year-old Jamsheer Athanikkal allegedly smashed the emergency exit window panel and tried… pic.twitter.com/zEBzULwqZ6
— GFN (@GFNIND) August 7, 2026
The flight crew have since returned to Malaysia, with officers expected to collect their statements at a later date.
Authorities are also considering whether Jamsheer could face charges under the Suppression of Unlawful Acts against the Safety of Civil Aviation Act.
The Kochi Airport police spokesman said: “Police will seek his custody from the court for further questioning.”
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