A Bengaluru-Surat Air India Express flight was delayed after a doctor allegedly threatened to crash the plane over a baggage dispute
Turbulence on the Ground: Air India Express Flight Delayed by Threats
On June 17, 2025, what should have been a routine Air India Express flight from Bengaluru to Surat turned into a high-alert security situation. The drama unfolded aboard Flight IX2749, when Dr. Vyas Hiral Mohanbhai, a 36-year-old Ayurvedic practitioner from Yelahanka, allegedly bypassed the check-in counter and insisted on carrying two bags into the cabin violating standard airline protocols.
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Once onboard, she placed one of her bags near the crew cabin, a restricted area, while taking the other to her assigned seat, 20F. When the cabin crew requested that she relocate the bag to the overhead bin near her seat, she refused and demanded that the crew keep it with them. What began as a disagreement quickly escalated into a confrontation involving verbal abuse, passenger unrest, and an alarming threat: “Keep my bag or I’ll crash the plane.”
The captain, alerted by the crew, immediately contacted CISF personnel, who boarded the aircraft and deboarded the passenger. The incident delayed the flight by nearly two hours and left passengers shaken by the unexpected chaos.
Legal Fallout: Arrest, Charges, and a Troubled Past
Following her removal, Dr. Mohanbhai was taken to the Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) police station, where she reportedly continued to abuse and manhandle officers. According to senior officials, her behavior was so disruptive that it was described as “unprecedented” in the station’s history.
She now faces multiple charges under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including:
- Section 351(4): Criminal intimidation by anonymous communication
- Section 353(1)(b): Statements of public mischief
- Section 3(1)(a) of the Suppression of Unlawful Acts Against Safety of Civil Aviation Act: Acts likely to endanger aircraft safety
Her husband, who works in an educational institution, informed authorities that she had ceased medical practice and was traveling to Gujarat to visit family. He also revealed that she had previously caused disturbances in public spaces, prompting police to investigate her background for similar incidents.
Aviation Safety in the Spotlight: Lessons and Reactions
This incident comes at a time when aviation safety is under intense scrutiny, especially following the tragic AI-171 crash in Ahmedabad, which claimed over 270 lives. While the two events are unrelated, the proximity in timing has amplified public anxiety and raised questions about passenger screening, mental health assessments, and crew preparedness.
Air India Express has not issued a detailed statement but is reportedly reviewing its boarding protocols and crew training modules to better handle such high-stress scenarios. Aviation experts have emphasized the need for psychological profiling of passengers who display erratic behavior and called for stricter penalties for in-flight misconduct.
Passengers on the affected flight expressed a mix of relief and frustration. “It was terrifying to hear someone threaten to crash the plane,” said one traveler. “But I’m grateful the crew acted swiftly and professionally.”
Conclusion:
The Bengaluru-Surat flight scare is a stark reminder that aviation safety isn’t just about machines, it’s about people. As airlines grapple with rising incidents of unruly behavior, this case underscores the urgent need for robust passenger conduct policies, mental health awareness, and swift enforcement. For now, the skies remain safe, but vigilance must never be grounded.
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