IndiGo Passenger Tries To Open Emergency Exit Lever Cover, Police Case Filed

A 33-year-old passenger travelling on an IndiGo flight from Delhi to Pune allegedly tampered with the emergency exit door lever cover shortly after takeoff, triggering an alarm and causing panic among passengers on board. The incident occurred on flight 6E6884, which was operating between the two cities on Monday. Following the incident, an IndiGo crew member lodged a police complaint against the passenger, prompting authorities to register a case and initiate an investigation into the alleged safety violation.

The passenger has been identified as Gaurav Satyendra Routela, a resident of Saswad in Pune district. He was seated in seat 19D, next to the aircraft's emergency exit. According to police, he allegedly touched the protective cover connected to the emergency door mechanism shortly after the aircraft took off from Delhi. His action triggered the aircraft's alarm system, alerting the cabin crew and raising concerns about the safety of everyone on board.

During preliminary questioning, Routela reportedly told investigators that he had touched the lever cover out of curiosity because he wanted to know what it was. He claimed that he was unaware that the cover was connected to the emergency exit mechanism. Senior Police Inspector Govind Pawar of the Airport Police Station said that any interference with the emergency door system could put the lives and safety of passengers at risk. The alarm is designed to alert the crew whenever the mechanism is disturbed.

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The flight departed from Delhi at approximately 12.45 am on Monday and landed safely in Pune around 2 am. Following the incident, IndiGo crew member Omkar Vinod Kulkarni filed a formal complaint with the airport police. The airline's crew members responded after the alarm was triggered, while the aircraft continued its journey to the scheduled destination. No injuries were reported in connection with the incident.

Police have registered a case against Routela under Section 125 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which deals with acts committed rashly or negligently that endanger human life or the personal safety of others. Relevant provisions of the Aircraft Act have also been invoked. The passenger has been served a notice under Section 35(3) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), and further investigation is underway.

Police officials have emphasised that emergency exit mechanisms are critical aircraft safety equipment and must not be touched or interfered with by passengers. Even an attempt to tamper with the protective cover can trigger alarms and create unnecessary panic during a flight. Authorities are examining the circumstances surrounding the incident and the passenger's explanation as part of the ongoing investigation.

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