Vistara Flight Delayed as Passenger Shouts ‘Hijack’

Passengers of a Vistara flight encountered a four-hour delay on Thursday when a male passenger was removed from the plane and arrested for shouting ‘hijack’ just before take-off. This incident occurred shortly after another Vistara service between Delhi and Mumbai was delayed due to a passenger overheard discussing a ‘bomb’.

An official involved in the incident explained, “The passenger shouted ‘hijack’ while the flight was preparing for departure, which raised suspicion and prompted the de-boarding of all passengers for a detailed check of both the aircraft and the passenger.”

Following standard operating procedures (SOPs), Vistara promptly informed the authorities and handed over the unruly passenger, identified as Ritesh Sanjaykumar Juneja. A Vistara spokesperson confirmed the incident and said that the relevant authorities were immediately informed and the passenger was handed over to them.

Before the flight could resume with the rest of the passengers, a thorough inspection was conducted, ensuring the safety and security of everyone on board. “A thorough check was conducted, and the flight took off with the rest of the passengers after receiving clearance,” assured the Vistara spokesperson.

The flight, originally scheduled to depart from Mumbai at 6:30 pm, experienced a delay until 10:30 pm, causing inconvenience to the passengers. However, the priority remained the safety and security of all individuals on board.

According to an unnamed police officer, Juneja claimed to be mentally ill, attributing his conversation on the flight to his instability. “He claims to be unstable, which led to his remarks during the flight,” stated the officer. Authorities registered a case against Juneja under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code, including 336 (endangering life or personal safety of others). “We are currently investigating the matter,” added the officer.

The additional checks conducted for all passengers and their belongings resulted in the delay. These measures aimed to ensure heightened security standards. Vistara reiterated its zero-tolerance policy towards unruly behaviour that jeopardizes the safety and security of both customers and staff, emphasizing its commitment to maintaining a secure travel experience.

After the completion of a thorough inspection, the flight eventually departed, providing relief to the passengers despite the inconvenience caused by the delay. The flight adhered to its original schedule, operating from Mumbai to Delhi, as the airline promptly handled the situation arising from the disruptive passenger.

The arrested passenger, 23-year-old Ritesh Sanjaykumar Juneja, allegedly shouted ‘hijack’ and engaged in a conversation about plane hijacking over the phone. The onboard crew overheard the discussion, raising immediate concerns and leading to Juneja’s questioning.

According to an official familiar with the investigation, a statement from the cabin crew member Soni revealed Juneja’s remarks: “‘Ahmedabad ka flight board karnewala hai, koi bhi dikkat ho toh mujhe call karna, hijack ka sara planning hai, uska Sara access hai, chinta mat karna’ (Scheduled to board Ahmedabad flight…if you have any issue, call me…all planning is for hijack…have its access, don’t worry).”

Based on Vistara’s complaint, the Sahar Police in Mumbai registered a case against Juneja under sections 336 and 505(2) of the Indian Penal Code, which pertain to crimes endangering lives or personal safety and spreading rumours or alarming news, respectively. The police acted promptly, arresting Juneja due to the distress caused to the crew and passengers.

Vistara confirmed the incident and expressed full cooperation with security agencies in the ongoing investigation. The airline’s statement reiterated its strong stance against unruly behaviour that jeopardises the safety and security of its customers and staff.

While an initial investigation indicated Juneja’s mental illness as a contributing factor to his statements, the police continue to investigate the matter. The case remains open as authorities work to understand the motives behind the incident and ensure the safety of all passengers in future flights.