Indian national to be charged in Singapore for molesting cabin crew member mid-flight

A 20-year-old Indian national will be charged in Singapore on Tuesday for allegedly molesting a female cabin crew member during a flight bound for the city-state, according to a police statement.

The incident reportedly occurred on February 28, around 12.05 pm (local time) when the 28-year-old crew member was escorting a female passenger to the lavatory. She spotted a piece of tissue paper on the floor and bent down to pick it up.

At that moment, the accused allegedly came up behind her, grabbed her, and pushed her into the lavatory with him, reported The Straits Times.

The situation escalated until the female passenger, who witnessed the alleged act, intervened and helped the crew member out of the lavatory. The matter was quickly reported to the cabin supervisor, and upon the plane’s arrival at Changi Airport, officers from the Airport Police Division arrested the man.

While the airline involved has not been disclosed by the authorities, the police confirmed that the accused will be charged with using criminal force with the intent to outrage modesty, an offence under Singapore law that carries a penalty of up to three years’ imprisonment, a fine, caning, or any combination of the three.

Assistant commissioner M Malathi, commander of the Airport Police Division, strongly condemned the incident. “We take such incidents seriously as cabin crew are trained professionals dedicated to ensuring the safety and well-being of all passengers,” she said, as quoted by AsiaOne. “The police remain committed to protecting airline staff and passengers on board from any form of sexual harassment or assault”, she added.

The man is scheduled to appear in court on April 22.