Mumbai: A formal first information report (FIR) has been filed by the Mumbai police against an unknown person under Section 354 IPC and the POCSO Act after a teenaged bollywood actress came out in the public alleging sexual harassment on a flight.
The teenaged Indian actress, who played lead roles in Bollywood blockbusters, on Sunday detailed a harrowing experience of being molested by a middle-aged man while she was on the flight from Delhi to Mumbai.
Earlier, a senior police officer had said that a woman police officer has been sent to record her statement at the Mumbai hotel where the actor was put up.
According to an Instagram video she posted on Sunday, "a middle-aged man sitting behind" her "on the Mumbai-bound Air Vistara flight from Delhi tried to molest" the 17-year-old actor. Narrating the harrowing experience, the national award winner alleged that the flight crew did not help her even after complaining about the man.
While speaking about the incident, she broke down multiple times narrating her mid-air ordeal. Reportedly, the man in question was caressing her neck while she was asleep. She tried to record his misdeed but due to dim lights, she wasn't able to do so.
Right after deboarding the flight, she took to Instagram to narrate her terrible experience in a live video. "So, I was in a flight traveling from Delhi to Mumbai today (Sunday) and right behind me one middle-aged man who made my two-hour journey miserable. I tried to record it on phone to understand it better because the cabin lights were dimmed, I failed to get it," she said.
The young girl managed to get a screenshot of the man's activities on the flight to some extent. In one of the pictures she shared, the man is seen sticking his leg trying to touch her inappropriately. "It continued for another 5-10 minutes and then I was sure of it. He kept nudging my shoulder and continued to move his foot up and down my back and neck."
"Guess he couldn't sit like a civilized human being and placed his foot on my armrest while he's fully 'phelaoed' (spread) his body on his seat."
"I just landed, the whole irony of this that I yelled... and this is not done... this is not how you should be treated or made to feel, this is terrible. This is how they will take care of girls? No one will help us if we don't decide to help ourselves and that is the worst thing," she said, looking visibly disturbed.
She ended her post with: "Slow claps for Vistara's wonderful crew guys."
Vistara's statement
Following the incident, the Vistara issued a statement saying, "we have seen the reports regarding the guest's experience with another customer on board last night. We are carrying out detailed investigation and will support her in every way required. We have zero tolerance for such behavior."
Later, Vistara's chief strategy and commercial officer Sanjiv Kapoor in a statement said, "We are aware of the incident reported by the actress on board our flight UK981 last night from Delhi to Mumbai. We are carrying out a detailed investigation of the incident which apparently involved a male passenger on the flight."
"We are talking to our crew who were serving the guest to understand the incident at greater length, and reaching out to fellow passengers as well. We will support our aggrieved guest in every way required and also if she decides to report the matter to the police," he said.
Kapoor said it appears the crew only became aware of something amiss during final descent when they were seated for landing.
Further details will come from the investigation which is currently going on in full force, he said.
"We apologise for what she experienced and we have zero tolerance for such behavior," Kapoor said reiterating the policy.
Call for action against the accused, airliner
Terming the incident as 'shameful', Maharashtra State Commission for Women's (MSCW) chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar said they will seek a detailed inquiry into it from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
"The commission will direct the DGCA to conduct an inquiry in the matter and will also inquire into the steps taken by Vistara to address the complaint," Rahatkar said.
She demanded that there should also be an inquiry into why the cabin crew did not help the actor.
"We have directed the Mumbai police to look into the matter immediately. It is sad that none of the co-passengers came ahead to help her. We are with her, and will ensure she gets justice," Rahatkar said.
The aviation regulator DGCA has sought a report on the incident from the airline, sources said.
Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah also demanded action against the male passenger.
"The passenger should be identified to the police by @airvistara & a case filed for legal action. None of this "he fell at my feet so I forgive him" rubbish!" Abdullah posted on Twitter.
Condemning the incident, Shiv Sena spokesperson Neelam Gorhe said a criminal offense should be registered against the male passenger and he should be asked to apologize for the indecent behavior.
"Those traveling by airlines usually work in good positions in companies. If the owners of such companies do not take suitable action against such employees their conduct will never change," Gorhe said.
