IndiGo Delhi-Pune flight scare: Passenger opens emergency exit cover, case filed
Synopsis
A passenger seated next to the emergency exit on an IndiGo Delhi-Pune flight allegedly opened the lever cover out of curiosity, triggering an alarm at 12.45 am on Monday. Police have registered a case under the Aircraft Act and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita — the second such incident at the same airport since 2024.
Key Takeaways
Gaurav Satyendra Rautela , 33 , from Saswad, Pune district , allegedly tampered with the emergency exit lever cover on IndiGo flight 6E6884 .
The incident occurred at approximately 12.45 am on Monday, shortly after takeoff from Delhi ; the flight landed in Pune at around 2 am .
An onboard alarm was triggered the moment Rautela touched the lever cover, alerting the crew.
Crew member Omkar Vinod Kulkarni filed a complaint; Senior PI Govind Pawar of Airport Police Station is leading the investigation.
Case registered under Section 125, BNS ; Section 25, Aircraft Act ; and notice issued under Section 35(3), BNSS .
A similar incident had occurred at the same station in 2024 , police confirmed.
A passenger aboard an IndiGo flight from Delhi to Pune allegedly attempted to open the emergency exit door lever cover shortly after takeoff early Monday, triggering an onboard alarm and prompting police action, officials said on 3 November 2026. The accused has since been identified and a formal case registered under multiple laws.
What Happened Aboard Flight 6E6884
The incident took place at approximately 12.45 am on Monday on IndiGo flight number 6E6884, shortly after the aircraft departed Delhi. The passenger, Gaurav Satyendra Rautela, 33, a resident of Saswad in Pune district, was seated in seat 19D, located next to the emergency exit. The moment he touched the lever cover, an alarm sounded inside the aircraft, immediately alerting the crew. The flight landed at Pune at around 2 am.
What the Accused Told Police
During preliminary questioning, Rautela reportedly claimed he had attempted to open the cover purely out of curiosity and was unaware it was connected to the emergency door mechanism. Senior Police Inspector Govind Pawar of the Airport Police Station said investigators are continuing to examine the circumstances of the incident. The crew member who filed the complaint has been identified as Omkar Vinod Kulkarni.
Safety Risk and Legal Action
Pawar noted that tampering with an aircraft's emergency door mechanism poses a direct risk to the lives of all passengers on board. The alarm system, he said, is a built-in safety protocol designed precisely to alert crew in such situations. Police have issued a notice to Rautela under Section 35(3) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). A case has also been registered against him under Section 125 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Section 25 of the Aircraft Act.
A Recurring Pattern
This is not an isolated occurrence. Pawar noted that a similar incident had been reported in 2024, following which police had registered a case. Globally, incidents involving passengers interfering with aircraft doors — whether out of curiosity, panic, or intent — have drawn increased scrutiny from aviation regulators. Notably, this latest case adds to a pattern of in-flight safety breaches that experts argue warrant stronger pre-boarding awareness protocols and clearer signage around emergency exits.
Investigation Ongoing
The Airport Police Station has initiated a full investigation into the matter. Further findings are expected as the probe progresses, with authorities likely to consult aviation safety regulators as part of their inquiry.
Point of View
Not a one-off lapse. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation should treat recurring emergency-exit incidents as a data point that demands a standardised cabin crew intervention protocol, not just post-hoc FIRs. Prosecuting individuals under the Aircraft Act is necessary but insufficient if the conditions enabling these incidents go unaddressed.
NationPress
3 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened on the IndiGo Delhi-Pune flight on 3 November 2026?
A passenger named Gaurav Satyendra Rautela allegedly tried to open the emergency exit door lever cover on IndiGo flight 6E6884 at around 12.45 am on Monday, shortly after takeoff from Delhi. His action triggered an onboard alarm, alerting the crew, and a police complaint was filed after the aircraft landed in Pune at around 2 am.
What charges has the passenger been booked under?
Rautela has been booked under Section 125 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Section 25 of the Aircraft Act. Police have also issued a notice to him under Section 35(3) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). An investigation by the Airport Police Station is ongoing.
Why is tampering with an aircraft emergency door dangerous?
Tampering with an aircraft's emergency door mechanism can directly endanger all passengers and crew on board, according to Senior Police Inspector Govind Pawar. The alarm system is a safety protocol designed to alert the crew the instant the emergency exit area is interfered with.
Has a similar incident happened before at Pune Airport?
Yes. Senior PI Govind Pawar confirmed that a similar incident occurred in 2024, following which police also registered a case. The recurrence has raised questions about awareness measures around emergency exits on commercial flights.
What did the accused say about the incident?
During preliminary questioning, Rautela reportedly told police he had touched the lever cover out of curiosity and was unaware it was connected to the emergency door. Investigators are continuing to examine this claim as part of their ongoing probe.
