Surat: A local court has convicted a Bengaluru-based passenger for smoking inside an Air India flight and travelling in an intoxicated state, sentencing him to six months’ imprisonment.

The convict, Kaustav Satyajit Biswas, was travelling on a Delhi–Surat–Bengaluru flight in 2024 when the incident took place. According to the prosecution, Biswas locked himself inside the aircraft lavatory for an extended period, triggering concern among passengers, who alerted the cabin crew.

Crew member Vandari Sut Nongang repeatedly knocked on the lavatory door before Biswas eventually emerged. A strong smell of cigarette smoke was noticed immediately after the door was opened. When questioned, Biswas admitted to smoking onboard, which is strictly prohibited under aviation safety norms.

Upon landing in Surat, the airline’s local office escalated the matter. Shyambhai Rajeshbhai Kansara informed Dumas Police Station, following which police personnel detained Biswas. During a search, cigarettes and a matchbox were recovered from his possession. Further questioning revealed that he had also consumed alcohol.

Police registered a case against Biswas and arrested him. During the trial, public prosecutor Parvez Pathan presented the case, while advocates Piyam Thakkar and Siddharth Katiyare represented the complainant. After hearing arguments from both sides, the court found him guilty and awarded a six-month jail term.

Biswas, a resident of Bengaluru, had travelled to Delhi for business and was returning home when the incident occurred. Due to his misconduct, the flight crew decided to offload him at Surat airport instead of allowing him to continue to Bengaluru. DeshGujarat