3 city businessmen held for harassing woman on flight

THE MEN VERBALLY ATTACKED THE WOMAN AFTER THEY TRIED TO SIT ON THE VACANT SEATS NEXT TO HER AND SHE OBJECTED

NEWDELHI: Delhi Police arrested three businessmen from west Delhi for allegedly harassing a woman on board a Spicejet flight from Bengaluru to Delhi earlier this month.

Officials said three passengers repeatedly tried to sit in the vacant seats next to a woman, who objected. When they were told to go back to their assigned seats by the crew, they reportedly got aggressive and started verbally attacking the woman. The incident took place on January 16 while the flight was airborne.

“The crew objected as passengers got up from their seats and sat next to her. When they were asked to go back to assigned seats, they started shouting and hurling abuses at the woman. The pilot was informed of the matter and he called the control room at Delhi airport,” said a Delhi Police officer.

After the pilot’s call, a quick reaction team of Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) reached the bay where aircraft was set to be parked at Delhi airport. The control room received the call at 11:50pm, 15 minutes before Spicejet flight SG 198 from Bengaluru was scheduled to land.

“We escorted the passengers and airline security called the police. Around 1am, the passengers were handed over to the police,” said a CISF officer, requesting anonymity.

Police said the accused were sent to the Safdarjung Hospital following which they were placed under arrest.

“They are residents of Vishnu Garden in west Delhi. A case was registered under section 509 (word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman) and 506 (punishment for criminal intimidation) of Indian Penal Code,” said DCP (airport) Sanjay Bhatia.

The victim’s statement was recorded in front of a magistrate, police said, adding that further investigation is on in the matter. The three accused were later released on bail.

Spicejet did not comment on the matter.