Newark Man Arrested for Mid-Flight ‘Choking’ Incident

India-West News Desk

MIAMI , FL – A mid-air scuffle aboard a Frontier Airlines flight has drawn widespread attention after a viral video showed two passengers grappling with each other as others stepped in to break up the fight.

The incident involved Ishaan Sharma, 21, of Newark, and Keanu Evans, with footage showing both men lunging at each other’s necks. The altercation occurred shortly before the flight landed in Miami.

Evans, who spoke to 7News, described the confrontation as “unprovoked,” saying Sharma grabbed his neck while returning to his seat. Evans claimed Sharma had been behaving erratically, uttering bizarre statements like, “You puny, mortal man, if you challenge me, it will result in your death,” and laughing darkly. Evans, seated one row ahead, had alerted flight attendants, who told him to press the call button if the behavior escalated.

Things turned physical when Evans pressed the assistance button.

Sharma was arrested upon arrival and charged with battery. At a court hearing set for July 8, his defense attorney offered an unexpected explanation: Sharma had been meditating. “My client is from a religion where he was meditating. Unfortunately, the passenger behind him did not like that,” the lawyer reportedly said.

Authorities are continuing to investigate the in-flight incident. Frontier Airlines has not yet commented publicly.