An Indian nationwide has been charged in the USA for allegedly stabbing two teenage passengers with a steel fork aboard a Lufthansa flight touring from Chicago to Frankfurt, prompting an emergency diversion to Boston. In line with the US Legal professional’s Workplace in Massachusetts, 28-year-old Praneeth Kumar Usiripalli has been charged with one rely of assault with a harmful weapon with intent to do bodily hurt whereas touring on an plane underneath the particular plane jurisdiction of the USA. He was arrested upon touchdown at Boston Logan Worldwide Airport on October 25, 2025, and is anticipated to seem in federal courtroom in Boston at a later date.
The legal criticism alleges that in Lufthansa Flight 431, Usiripalli attacked two 17-year-old male passengers seated close to him. Following meal service, one of many minors, recognized in courtroom paperwork as “Minor A,” was calmly asleep when he awoke to seek out Usiripalli standing over him. Usiripalli then allegedly struck him within the shoulder with a steel fork. Moments later, Usiripalli is claimed to have lunged at “Minor B,” seated subsequent to Minor A, and stabbed him behind the pinnacle, inflicting a laceration.
Flight attendants and passengers intervened to restrain Usiripalli, however in keeping with the affidavit, he turned more and more erratic—elevating his hand within the form of a gun, pretending to drag a set off in his mouth, slapping a close-by feminine passenger, and trying to strike a crew member.
Because of the disturbance, the flight was diverted to Boston, the place legislation enforcement officers took Usiripalli into custody.
Court docket information point out that Usiripalli, who beforehand entered the US on a scholar visa, had been enrolled in a grasp’s program in biblical research however at the moment doesn’t maintain lawful immigration standing.
If convicted, Usiripalli faces as much as 10 years in jail, three years of supervised launch, and a superb of as much as $250,000.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant US Legal professional Allegra Flamm of the Main Crimes Unit, with investigative help from the FBI’s Boston Division, Massachusetts State Police, US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and US Customs and Border Safety (CBP).
Officers emphasised that the main points within the criticism are allegations and that the defendant stays presumed harmless till confirmed responsible in courtroom.