Incident occurred mid-flight; accused allegedly forced crew member into lavatory before being stopped by fellow passenger
A 20-year-old Indian national has been formally charged in Singapore for allegedly molesting a female cabin crew member during a Singapore Airlines flight on February 28. The incident unfolded mid-air and was reportedly stopped by the timely intervention of another passenger, reported gujaratsamachar.com.
According to a Singapore-based daily, the accused took advantage of a moment when the crew member bent down to pick up tissue paper from the floor. It was at this point that he allegedly approached her from behind, grabbed her, and forcibly entered the lavatory with her.
The crew member was assisting a female passenger to the lavatory when the accused allegedly assaulted her from behind and forced her into the lavatory with him.
The situation could have escalated further had it not been for a vigilant female passenger who witnessed the act and intervened, ultimately preventing further harm. Upon landing at Changi Airport, officers from the Airport Police Division arrested the man based on the crew’s report and passenger testimonies.
The accused faces a charge of using criminal force with intent to outrage modesty, a serious offence under Singaporean law that could result in imprisonment for up to three years, a fine, caning, or a combination of these penalties.
The case has sparked concerns over inflight crew safety and the need for continued vigilance by passengers and airlines alike. The investigation is ongoing as the authorities prepare to prosecute the accused under the country’s stringent criminal laws.