An Indian-origin 21-year-old man has been arrested in the US after allegedly attacking a fellow passenger during a mid-air fight on a Frontier Airlines flight from Philadelphia to Miami. The incident, which occurred on June 30, has gone viral on social media after a video surfaced showing the violent altercation. The suspect, Ishaan Sharma, allegedly struck fellow passenger Keanu Evans unprovoked after take-off, according to US media reports such as the New York Post. A video on a mobile phone captures the two men struggling with each other as other passengers and a flight attendant try to intervene to stop the brawl. In the video, other passengers shout, "Let him go. Stop, let him go," as a crew member continuously tells them to sit down.

Talking to the local media, Keanu Evans accused Sharma of starting to act strangely as soon as he boarded. "He was doing some, like, dark laugh like, 'Ha ha ha ha ha.' And he was saying things like, 'You puny, mortal man, if you challenge me, it will result in your death,'" Evans said. Evans, who was sitting in front of Sharma, activated the help button and alerted flight attendants when he felt threatened. He said Sharma then clasped his throat as he walked back to his seat, setting off the altercation in the crowded cabin. Both men were injured in the fight. Ishaan Sharma allegedly suffered a black eye and a cut above his left eyebrow, while Evans got away with some slight scratches. Sharma was arrested by Miami police when he landed in Miami and charged with battery. He was taken into custody at Miami-Dade jail and appeared in court on Tuesday.

Lawyer Says Client Was "Meditating"

Sharma's attorney maintained that the altercation was initiated by a misunderstanding. “My client is from a religion where he was meditating. Unfortunately, the passenger behind him did not like that,” the attorney said, explaining that Sharma was practicing in silence. But the court was not satisfied with this defense. The judge fixed Sharma's bond at 500 USD and issued a stay-away order, which banned him from contacting the victim or going to his school or workplace.

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The viral mid-air brawl video has garnered critical comments from social media users regarding flight safety and the conduct of passengers. A good number of people have raised alarm on increasing cases of in-flight disputes, calling on airlines to enhance surveillance and crew training to deal with such instances.

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So far, there has been no official statement from Frontier Airlines on the incident. The airline has not indicated whether Sharma will be banned from flights in the future. The investigation is still underway, and officials have appealed to those who may have more videos or details to come forward.