Dubai-Hyderabad Flight: A male passenger on an Air India flight from Dubai to Hyderabad was arrested after he allegedly harassed a female cabin crew member during the journey, police said on Sunday. The incident took place mid-flight when the attendant was serving passengers. According to the RGI Airport police, the man, a software engineer from Kerala, allegedly touched her inappropriately while appearing to be under the influence of alcohol.
The cabin crew reported noticing signs of intoxication and alerted the captain once the aircraft landed in Hyderabad. Ground staff were informed and the crew subsequently filed a formal complaint with the police. Based on their statement, a case of sexual harassment was registered against the flyer.
According to a PTI report, after landing, the passenger approached the crew claiming he had misplaced his passport and requested assistance in locating it. When the crew checked his seat, they instead found a note containing what police described as “obscene and abusive” remarks, allegedly directed at the staff. Officials said this discovery further strengthened the complaint lodged by the cabin crew.
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The accused, believed to be in his thirties, was arrested and produced before a local court, where he was remanded to judicial custody. Police registered a case under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including Section 74, relating to assault or criminal force against a woman with intent to outrage her modesty, and Section 75, which covers sexual harassment.
This incident comes months after the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issued an updated circular on handling unruly passengers. The guidelines require airlines to report such cases within 12 hours and submit a detailed report within 24 hours of landing.
Police said further investigation is under way and statements from the crew and other passengers are being examined.
(With Inputs From PTI)