B'luru man shouted ‘Allahu Akbar’, threatened to bomb UK flight; arrested
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Bengaluru: A 41-year-old man of Indian origin was arrested in Glasgow on 27 July after creating panic on an easyJet flight from London Luton Airport to Glasgow by shouting inflammatory slogans, including threats against former US President Donald Trump and chanting “Allahu Akbar.” The man, identified as Abhay Devadas Nayak, is originally from Bengaluru and is reported to be suffering from a mental health disorder, specifically schizophrenia, according to police sources familiar with the investigation.
Nayak’s disruptive behaviour, captured in videos circulated on social media, shows him standing up mid-flight and shouting “I am going to bomb the plane,” “Death to America, death to Trump,” and “Allahu Akbar.” He was quickly restrained by fellow passengers and cabin crew. In the aftermath, he claimed his outburst was a protest against Trump, who he believed was in Scotland that day. “I want to send a message to Trump,” Nayak is heard saying in the footage.
Other passengers are heard pleading with him to stop, reminding him of families on board. After being subdued, Nayak told co-passengers that he had no bomb, was travelling on seat 11F, and was a refugee in the United Kingdom with a residence card issued in Wales. He said he had no passport, although passengers found an ATM card bearing the name “Abhay” in his possession.
Police in Scotland confirmed: “We were called to a report of a man causing a disturbance on a flight arriving into Glasgow around 8.20 am on Sunday, 27 July, 2025.” Nayak was arrested upon landing and appeared in court on Monday. He did not enter a plea and is expected to be produced in court again next week.
Police sources in Karnataka revealed that Nayak’s family has been located in south Bengaluru. His family, originally from Honnavar in Uttara Kannada district, is involved in the hotel business. His father continues to run the business, while his two siblings are medical professionals working abroad. The family informed authorities that Nayak had been diagnosed with schizophrenia and had a history of global travel. His Indian passport was reportedly issued in Bengaluru.
According to online records, Nayak co-founded a private company called Antrix Ventures in Bengaluru in 2010 along with a family member. He had been residing in Luton, Bedfordshire, near London. In the UK, Nayak faces charges under the Air Navigation Order, including acting recklessly or negligently in a manner that could endanger an aircraft or its occupants. However, police sources in Karnataka suggested that Nayak may be deported to India without formal prosecution.
