• Source:JND
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A British court has sentenced a 34-year-old Indian national, Javed Inamdar, to 21 months in prison for sexually assaulting a 12-year-old girl during a British Airways flight from Mumbai to London Heathrow. The incident took place on December 14, 2024, while the girl was asleep during the overnight journey.

Inamdar, a married father of two and an executive in a Mumbai-based shipping firm, was seated beside the victim. According to court proceedings at Isleworth Crown Court, he first “tested the waters” by stroking the girl’s hand before groping her under her clothes. The child woke up crying and screamed, "Get the f* away from me!", prompting nearby passengers and cabin crew to intervene.

Girl Was 'Visibly Distressed', Says Cabin Crew

According to the local media reports, cabin manager Rebecca Rooney testified that she found the young passenger “visibly distressed” and curled up in her seat. “She said the man sitting next to her had put his hands up her jumper and touched her breast,” Rooney told the court.

Inamdar was immediately moved to another seat and detained by the crew until landing. When questioned by police, he claimed he was in a "deep sleep" and did not remember touching the girl and while on the plane had told a cabin crew member he thought the 12-year-old girl "was his wife" and suggested he had "fallen asleep" cuddling her.

Passenger Anna Miller, who was seated nearby, recalled being woken by the girl’s screams. “She sounded very distressed, saying ‘get away from me’,” she said. Another passenger described the victim as “terrified and crying,” repeatedly insisting that the man had touched her inappropriately. The prosecution, led by Richard Burrington, told jurors that Inamdar’s actions were deliberate. “He deliberately chose a window seat next to the child and waited until she was asleep before assaulting her,” Burrington said.

Judge Rejects Plea, Calls Act 'Outrageous'

Defence lawyer Lee Sergent told the court that Inamdar “comes from a different part of the world” and had worked hard to build a successful career in India. He said his client’s time on bail in the UK had been “restrictive and isolating,” as he had not been able to see his wife or young children.

Sergent asked the court to consider a suspended sentence, arguing that Inamdar would leave the country immediately if released. 

In his ruling, Judge Simon Davis rejected the defence’s claims, describing the incident as “outrageous” and deliberate. “You got on that airplane and sat yourself down on the window seat. You thought you had an opportunity to assault her. You tested the waters by brushing her hand,” the judge said. “This country will protect people like this young girl, especially at that young age,” he added, while acknowledging that Inamdar’s separation from family and prolonged stay in Britain had been considered in reducing the sentence.

Inamdar, who was assisted by a Hindi interpreter throughout the proceedings, broke down during sentencing. Dressed in a grey prison tracksuit, he wept in the dock and reportedly shouted, “I need to call my wife to let her know what is happening,” as he was led away to custody.

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British Airways confirmed that the airline cooperated fully with the investigation and reiterated its zero-tolerance policy towards harassment or assault onboard.

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The case has sparked renewed debate over passenger safety during international flights, with experts calling for stricter vigilance and better protection for minors travelling alone or seated beside unknown passengers.

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