The flight, operating as IndiGo 6E 1234, was scheduled to reach Chennai at 12:30 pm but was forced to change course after a sudden blaze erupted in the overhead bin.
The incident was captured on a passenger’s mobile phone, showing a cluster of flames licking the aisle as crew rushed to deploy fire extinguishers.
Passengers, led by a woman from Bengaluru, quickly grabbed their carry‑on bags and attempted to smother the fire with damp cloths before the crew could contain it.
The airline’s safety officer, Rajesh Gupta, confirmed that the power bank was a non‑compliant, over‑charged unit that had breached the airline’s carry‑on regulations.
The Civil Aviation Ministry has launched an inquiry, with the Central Bureau of Investigation assigned to probe the source of the defective battery.
An airline spokesperson said IndiGo will review its baggage‑handling procedures and conduct a mandatory safety briefing for all passengers on future long‑haul flights.