Man, 52, arrested in Australia for sexually assaulting woman on S'pore to Perth Scoot flight

A 52-year-old man was charged in Australia on Apr. 14 for sexually assaulting another passenger on board a Scoot flight bound for Perth from Singapore.

The West Australian identified the alleged assailant as Sudhir Kumar Chahuan, an Indian national.

The man was charged with one count of sexual intercourse without consent and three counts of an act of indecency without consent.

What allegedly happened

In a statement on the Australian Federal Police website, the man was said to have committed “non-consensual sexual acts” on a woman seated next to him during the Apr. 13 flight.

She sought help from airline staff, and was moved to another seat.

Airline staff monitored the man for the remainder of the flight.

The Australian Federal Police escorted the man off the plane for questioning after it touched down at Perth Airport.

Scoot response

A Scoot spokesperson told Mothership that it is aware of the incident that took place on board Flight TR16.

The low-cost subsidiary of Singapore Airlines said the flight took off from Singapore at about 3am and landed in Perth at about 8am.

Australia police response

Australian Federal Police Acting Superintendent Peter Brindal said the authorities have zero tolerance for criminal behaviour on aircraft or in Australia airports.

“Every passenger has the right to feel safe when travelling, especially when confined in an aircraft close to other passengers,” he said.

He urged anyone subjected to unwanted contact to alert the airline staff, the police or airport security as soon as possible.

He said: “No act of indecency on an aircraft or at an airport is appropriate, and any travellers who break the law will be dealt with swiftly.”

The offence of sexual intercourse without consent is punishable with a maximum jail term of 12 years, while indecency without consent carries a maximum penalty of seven years in jail.

Top photo via Scoot Facebook