Passenger booked for smoking beedi in lavatory on Delhi–Goa Akasa Air flight
PTC Web Desk: A passenger travelling on an Akasa Air flight from Delhi to Goa has been booked by the police after he allegedly smoked a beedi inside the aircraft lavatory, officials said on Sunday.
The incident took place on Saturday aboard flight QP1625, which was operating between the national capital and Goa. According to the police, the accused, identified as Ashish, a resident of Delhi, allegedly lit a beedi inside the lavatory during the flight.
The airline later lodged a complaint, stating that the passenger was also found carrying a lighter. Officials said the act raised serious safety concerns as smoking and carrying ignition sources inside an aircraft cabin can pose a potential threat to passengers and crew.
Following the complaint, a case was registered against the passenger at the Mopa Airport police station in Goa. The case has been filed under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Suppression of Unlawful Acts against Safety of Civil Aviation Act.
The police said such actions could endanger the safety of people on board and violate aviation safety regulations. Authorities have begun further investigation into the matter.
Confirming the development, Akasa Air said in a statement that a passenger on the Delhi–Goa flight was found smoking in the aircraft lavatory on March 7. The airline said its cabin crew followed standard safety procedures and handed the individual over to the authorities after the aircraft landed in Goa.
The airline also stated that it is cooperating fully with investigators.
- With inputs from agencies
