In a distressing incident of sexual harassment aboard an IndiGo flight from Mumbai to Guwahati, a male passenger was arrested. During a late-night flight when the cabin lights had been dimmed, and the accused allegedly groped a female co-passenger seated beside him.
According to an official statement released by IndiGo, the accused harasser was apprehended upon the flight’s arrival at Guwahati’s Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport.
Remarkably, this incident is the fourth such occurrence involving Indian passengers within a span of just two months.
The incident:
The alleged incident occurred on board IndiGo’s flight 6E 5319, which took off from Mumbai and touched down in Guwahati. The victim recounted that she had initially lowered the armrest separating her from the accused and had drifted into slumber. However, she awoke later to find the armrest raised and her co-passenger uncomfortably close.
At first, she dismissed the incident as an unfortunate accident. But her discomfort escalated when she woke up again, only to discover the man inappropriately touching her. Suspicion gnawed at her, prompting her to feign sleep to ascertain whether these actions were deliberate or mere accidents. Regrettably, the man persisted with his unwelcome advances, even engaging in inappropriate self-touch. Overwhelmed by this harrowing experience, she decided to take action for the third time. In her words, “I was shocked at what I had just experienced. I had to do something to protect myself and ensure this man faced consequences.”
Summoning immense courage, she firmly seized his hand, raised her voice for help, turned on the seat lights, and urgently sought assistance from the cabin crew. IndiGo responded promptly to the incident, confirming that they had handed over the alleged perpetrator to the Guwahati police. In accordance with the airline’s press release, an FIR (First Information Report) has also been filed. IndiGo has pledged its complete cooperation with the authorities throughout their investigation, ensuring that justice is served in this disconcerting incident.