Passenger Apprehended On Vistara Flight For Alleged ‘Hijacking Plan’: Safety Measures Averted Disaster
Mumbai, 23rd June 2023: Officials reported that a male passenger, aged 23, was apprehended on a Vistara flight from Mumbai to Delhi after he was overheard discussing a “hijacking plan” on his phone just before takeoff. The occurrence unfolded at approximately 6:30 pm on Thursday at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport. Following the conversation being heard by a crew member and nearby individuals, the passenger, originating from Haryana, was deplaned and handed over to
security personnel.
Subsequently, a comprehensive inspection of the aircraft was conducted, and the flight departed for Delhi with the remaining
passengers after receiving clearance from the authorities. A police official stated that the occurrence transpired before the scheduled departure time of 7 pm for Delhi. The passengers were already seated, and the cabin crew members were occupied with their duties.
According to the official, a member of the cabin crew, along with others, overheard the male passenger speaking on his mobile phone. The passenger was heard saying in Hindi, “Will board a flight to Ahmedabad.”Feel free to contact me if you encounter any challenges,” he added, confirming that all preparations for the hijacking have been completed. Don’t worry as there is access.”
Upon hearing the conversation, nearby passengers became frightened, prompting several of them to stand up. The cabin crew member alerted the flight’s security personnel, leading to the passenger being handed over to the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF). Afterwards, the person, who was later revealed to be Ritesh Juneja, was transported to Sahar police station. Based on a complaint filed by the 27-year-old cabin crew member, an offence was registered against Juneja. It was revealed that the accused suffers from mental instability and has been undergoing medical treatment since 2021.
The passenger has been accused of violating sections 336 and 505 (2) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Section 336 pertains to engaging in a reckless or negligent act that puts human life or personal safety at risk. Meanwhile, section 505 (2) deals with making a statement with the intention of causing fear or alarm among people.Vistara Airlines confirmed the incident in a statement, stating that the unruly passenger was promptly handed over to the relevant authorities under their guidelines and standard operating procedures (SOPs). Following a thorough inspection, the flight proceeded with the remaining passengers after receiving clearance.
The airline’s spokesperson emphasized full cooperation with the security agencies in the investigation and reiterated Vistara’s zero-tolerance policy towards unruly behaviour that jeopardizes the safety and security of customers and staff.
