32-year-old booked over abusive Bengaluru police posts and mid-air misconduct

A 32-year-old man was booked by Kempegowda International Airport police in Bengaluru after allegedly posting abusive and misleading content about Bengaluru City Police and reportedly misbehaving aboard a flight. The case emerged on March 23 during routine social media monitoring, with a X handle @Utkarshgautam96 allegedly targeting city police, including a post reading, ‘@ MumbaiPolice Please arrest @BlrCityPolice bastards’. The individual also shared on Instagram claiming he was illegally detained at the airport police station.

Further inquiry revealed that on March 22 Indigo Airlines staff filed a complaint regarding Gautam’s behavior on board flight 6E373 (Jaipur–Bengaluru). He allegedly attempted to open the aircraft’s rear safety door mid-air and used abusive language toward cabin crew when questioned. Based on these complaints, a case was registered under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including Sections 351(2) and 352. He was detained by KIA police in Bengaluru and later handed over to the jurisdictional police for further action. Police stated that Gautam spread false information about illegal detention, aggravating the incident.

Police later described the registered case as non-cognisable after cross-checking his background. The episode has raised questions about the impact of online postings on public safety and airline security, and authorities say they will continue monitoring social media to curb misinformation and hold individuals accountable for dangerous acts in the air and online.

This incident highlights the ongoing tension between free expression and the responsibilities that accompany digital platforms and travel safety, with authorities pursuing all appropriate charges as the investigation progresses.

#BengaluruPolice #MidAirMisconduct #SocialMediaLaw