Daijiworld Media Network – Miami

Miami, Jul 4: In a shocking mid-air incident aboard a Frontier Airlines flight from Philadelphia to Miami, an Indian-origin man was arrested after allegedly choking a fellow passenger in what police say was an unprovoked attack.

The accused, Ishaan Sharma (21), a resident of Newark, was caught on camera grabbing co-passenger Keanu Evans by the neck during the June 30 flight. The disturbing video, which has since gone viral, shows both men locked in a physical altercation while other passengers tried to intervene and calm the situation.

According to Evans, who spoke to 7News, the confrontation began unexpectedly. “He approached me and grabbed my neck while I was returning to my assigned seat,” Evans said, describing Sharma's behaviour as erratic.

“He was doing this dark laugh—‘Ha ha ha ha’—and saying bizarre things like, ‘You puny, mortal man, if you challenge me, it will result in your death,’” Evans recalled.

The situation reportedly escalated after Evans used the lavatory and informed flight attendants of Sharma’s behaviour. He was advised to press the assistance button if Sharma continued acting aggressively.

Shortly after, when Evans followed the crew’s advice, Sharma allegedly responded violently. “He looked at me with anger, forehead to forehead, and then suddenly grabbed my throat. It was pure survival instinct from there,” Evans said.

Sharma was immediately detained by authorities upon landing in Miami and has been charged with battery.

During a court appearance on Tuesday, Sharma’s lawyer made a surprising defence, claiming that his client was engaged in meditation as part of his religious practice, and the incident may have stemmed from a misunderstanding. “My client was meditating. Unfortunately, the passenger behind him did not like that,” the attorney told reporters.

The case has sparked debate online, with many questioning airline safety measures and others calling for more awareness around cultural and mental health issues. Frontier Airlines has yet to issue an official statement on the incident.

Authorities are continuing their investigation into the mid-air altercation.