An Indian national was charged with assault on a flight traveling from Chicago to Germany, according to a press release issued by the US Department of Justice (DoJ) on Monday.
The Justice Department claimed that Praneeth Kumar Usiripalli, 28, stabbed two teenagers with a metal fork and was arrested on October 25 after the flight was diverted to Boston. He was charged in U.S. District Court with one count of assault with a dangerous weapon with intent to cause bodily harm.
“According to charging documents, on October 25, 2025, while aboard Lufthansa Flight 431 en route from Chicago to Frankfurt, Germany, Usiripalli allegedly stabbed a 17-year-old passenger (Minor A) in the shoulder area with a metal fork,” the statement reads. “Usiripalli allegedly stabbed a second 17-year-old passenger (Minor B) in the back of the head with the same metal fork.”
The Justice Department said that when flight crew members attempted to subdue Usiripalli, he allegedly raised his hand, formed a gun with his fingers, put it in his mouth and pulled an imaginary trigger.
“Immediately thereafter, Usiripalli allegedly turned to a female passenger to his left and slapped her with his hand. Usiripalli also allegedly attempted to slap a flight crew member,” the statement read.
“As a result of the disturbance, the flight was diverted to Boston Logan International Airport, where Usiripalli was immediately detained.”
The department added that while Usiripalli was admitted to the United States on a student visa, it added that he does not currently have any legal status in the country.
“The charge of assault with a dangerous weapon with intent to cause bodily harm while traveling on an aircraft in the special aircraft jurisdiction of the United States provides a penalty of up to 10 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000,” the statement reads.
