The passenger, who opened the emergency exit on an IndiGo, Chennai-Tiruchirappalli on December 10 last year, was BJP leader Tejaswi Surya, Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said Wednesday, media reported.

The incident has spurred opposition derision and attacks on the Karnataka MP.

The incident took place on IndiGo flight 6E-7339, ANI reported.

The identity of the passenger was not revealed.

In a communication, the aviation regulator had said that the flight was bound for Thiruvananthapuram but later the carrier clarified that it was headed to Tiruchirappalli, said the report.

Luckily, the flight was on the tarmac and no untoward incident occurred.

The passenger was Tejasvi Surya, the Aviation Minister has now confirmed, over a month after the incident.

"It's important not to be circumspect. Look at the facts. The door did open by mistake, all checks were taken and only after that the plane was allowed to take off. And he also said sorry for it himself," Scindia was quoted as saying by the media.

The flight was delayed by two hours as the aircraft took off for its destination, Tiruchirapalli, only after stringent engineering checks, media reports said citing officials.

Surya "rested his hand on the door", unlocking the exit, according to officials, said media reports.

The passenger had opened the "Right Hand emergency exit" by mistake, the officials said.

The incident has elicited strong reactions from the opposition with several opposition leaders questioning why Surya "got away with a mere apology" and did not face more serious action.

"The passenger immediately apologised for the action. As per SOP (Standard Operating Procedure), the incident was logged and the aircraft underwent mandatory engineering checks, which led to a delay in the flight's departure," said IndiGo's statement on Tuesday, not revealing the name of the flyer.