Kochi: A casual question during a routine baggage check got a passenger in trouble at Kochi airport on Sunday. The 42-year-old passenger was on his way to Mumbai on an early morning flight, Cochin International Airport Ltd said in a press release.

During the pre-boarding security check, Manoj Kumar asked the CISF officer, “Is there a bomb in my bag?” This casual question immediately triggered concern and prompted the airport security team to act swiftly. The Bomb Detection and Disposal Unit inspected the passenger’s cabin and checked baggage. After completing the necessary checks, which revealed no threat, Kumar was handed over to the local police for further investigation, the release said.

Although Kumar did not receive permission to fly, the Air India flight took off on time, the press release said.
Recently, a bomb hoax made by a passenger in the early hours of the morning alerted airport security officials and led to his arrest. His “little” prank also caused a flight delay of over two hours. The false threat was made by Prashant of Thiruvananthapuram, a businessman from Africa who was supposed to fly with Thai Airlines.

Prashant, his family and two other passengers who had checked in using the same PNR were not allowed to board the aircraft. Their baggage was also recalled for further investigation.

According to the regulations, non-targeted bomb threats can be punished with a prison sentence of up to five years. In addition, the passenger can also be blacklisted and may face the consequences of that blacklisting on future air travel.