Indian student charged in US for stabbing two minors on Lufthansa flight
HYDERABAD: An Indian national has been charged in the United States for allegedly stabbing two 17-year-old passengers with a metal fork aboard a Lufthansa flight from Chicago to Frankfurt on October 25, 2025.
According to federal prosecutors, Praneeth Kumar Usiripalli, 28, was charged in the U.S. District Court in Boston with one count of assault with a dangerous weapon with intent to do bodily harm while travelling on an aircraft within U.S. special aircraft jurisdiction. He was arrested after the flight was diverted to Boston Logan International Airport and will appear before a federal judge later.
Mid-air attack on teenage passengers
Charging documents state that during meal service on Lufthansa Flight 431, Usiripalli allegedly stabbed a 17-year-old male passenger in the shoulder while he was asleep. He then reportedly attacked another 17-year-old seated nearby, striking him in the back of the head with the same metal fork. The second victim sustained a laceration.
Crew members intervened to restrain Usiripalli, who allegedly made a gesture of putting his hand to his mouth like a gun and pulling an imaginary trigger before slapping a female passenger and attempting to hit a crew member.
Flight diverted; suspect in U.S. custody
Following the disturbance, the pilot diverted the aircraft to Boston, where federal agents took Usiripalli into custody. Authorities said he had previously entered the U.S. on a student visa and was enrolled in a master’s programme in biblical studies. He currently has no lawful immigration status.
If convicted, Usiripalli faces up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $2,50,000. Assistant U.S. Attorney Allegra Flamm is prosecuting the case.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office emphasised that the charges are allegations and that the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
