KOCHI: Central agencies have stepped into the investigation regarding the incident where a passenger attempted to open the emergency door of a mid-air flight and damaged its glass panes. The central intelligence wing and the National Investigation Agency (NIA) have initiated a preliminary probe into the matter. Central agencies assess that the incident has deeply suspicious elements. They are also investigating whether the individual, who had been abroad, had any links to terrorist groups. The NIA is examining whether he attempted a jihad by trying to kill everyone through a crash. Further steps in the investigation will be determined based on information gathered from this preliminary probe.
The incident occurred on Thursday night. Jamsheer (34), a native of Athanikkal House, Thekke Vavanoor, Koottanad, Palakkad, and a passenger on a Batik Air flight from Kuala Lumpur to Kochi, attempted to open and break the aircraft’s emergency door. He turned aggressive about half an hour before the flight landed in Kochi. Cabin crew and fellow passengers overpowered him and tied his hands. As soon as the flight landed in Kochi, he was handed over to the Nedumbassery police. He remained aggressive even when later produced before the Angamaly Magistrate Court. He is currently remanded in the Aluva sub-jail.
Meanwhile, complaints have risen that the police are not investigating the case with adequate seriousness despite such a grave incident. Currently, a case for attempted murder is the only charge filed against him. The police have not yet taken steps to secure custody of the remanded Jamsheer for interrogation. This has sparked widespread protest. Accusations have also emerged that the police are trivializing an incident that could have compromised national security and led to a major aviation disaster, allegedly attempting to close the case by making it appear as though he suffered from a mental disorder.
