Indian man arrested after allegedly assaulting female passenger mid-flight

Dhaka: A 52-year-old Indian man has been arrested and charged after he allegedly sexually assaulted a female passenger seated next to him aboard a Scoot Airlines flight from Singapore to Perth in Australia, according to the Australian Federal Police (AFP).

Police said he committed "non-consensual sexual acts" during the flight.

The Scoot Airlines flight departed Singapore at approximately 03:00 am. At one point during the flight, the victim informed the cabin crew of the harassment. The crew responded promptly and moved her to a different seat.

Airline staff monitored the suspect for the remainder of the journey and alerted authorities ahead of landing.

The flight later landed in Perth at around 08:00. Federal police boarded the aircraft upon arrival, escorted the man to an interview room, and placed him under arrest.

"The passenger involved was handed over to the relevant authorities upon arrival in Perth," a Scoot Airlines spokesperson said.

The man was subsequently brought before the Perth Magistrates Court, where he was charged with one count of sexual intercourse without consent, which carries a maximum sentence of 12 years in prison, along with multiple counts of indecency without consent, each punishable by up to seven years.

He has been remanded in custody, with his next court hearing scheduled for April 17.

The case is being jointly investigated by the AFP and the Western Australia sex assault squad.

AFP Acting Superintendent Peter Brindal emphasized that such behavior would not be tolerated.

"Every passenger has the right to feel safe when traveling, especially when confined in an aircraft close to other passengers," he said.

"Anyone subjected to unwanted contact is encouraged to alert the authorities, be it airline staff, the AFP, or airport security, as soon as it is safely possible to do so. No act of indecency on an aircraft or at an airport is appropriate, and any travelers who break the law will be dealt with swiftly," Brindal added.

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