Indian Accountant Arrested After Onboard Hijack Threat

An Indian accountant who allegedly threatened to hijack a domestic flight Sunday evening has been charged Monday under the civil aviation law. Commandos surrounded the jet after its emergency landing in New Delhi, prompting a major security scare for a country still on edge after the Mumbai terror attack more than two months ago.

Authorities say a 42-year-old accountant has been charged with threatening to kill and negligent conduct following the emergency landing of a commercial jetliner at New Delhi's airport. The passenger, identified as Jitender Kumar Mohala, the son of a retired high-ranking military officer, has been remanded for two weeks to judicial custody while an investigation continues.

Two other passengers, a man and a woman, were detained for questioning but later released without being charged.

The civil aviation ministry says "all precautionary measures were activated" after a couple of passengers threatened to hijack Indigo Flight 664 on Sunday following takeoff from Goa, a popular tourism destination. MORE...