China Daily Global Edition (USA)
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NEW DELHI — Indian authorities have ordered a probe into the alleged molestation of a teenage Bollywood actress on board a flight from Delhi to Mumbai.
Zaira Wasim, the 17-year-old who played Indian wrestler Geeta Phogat in the hit movie Dangal, took to social media on Saturday night to tell of her ordeal on the flight.
In the video post, she alleged that a male co-passenger rubbed his foot on her neck and back while sitting behind her.
“The lights were dimmed, so it was even worse. It continued for another five to 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,” she said.
In the same post, the actress also accused Vistara airline staff of not taking action against the accused despite being informed about the incident.
As the post went viral on Sunday morning, India’s Civil Aviation Ministry and Directorate General of Civil Aviation sought details from Vistara, which has apologized and promised a full investigation.
“I am really horrified the way this incident happened and after that the crew didn’t help this girl. Vistara hasn’t sensitized their crew to take action against men torturing women on flights,” National Commission for Women’s chairwoman Rekha Sharma said.
Indian police said they arrested a 39-year-old businessman over the incident. Local media identified him as Vikas Sachdev but he has not been formally named.
However, his wife claimed what happened was an accident and that her husband was tired and upset as his uncle had just died in Delhi.
“My husband told me that he had been sleeping when his leg accidentally touched her (the actress’s) hand; he apologized to her for that. My husband respects women. Because of this incident, my entire family is disturbed. We want justice,” she told a local newspaper.