A 36-year-old Indian national is scheduled to be charged in a Singapore court on March 17 following allegations of molestation and harassment of a female cabin crew member during a flight, according to a statement released by the Singapore Police Force on Sunday.
Police were alerted to the incident on February 9 at 4:27 p.m. Local time. Investigations revealed the man allegedly made inappropriate physical contact with the crew member while she was providing in-flight service near his seat. The crew member immediately asked him to stop and went to the galley to prepare for landing.
The man then allegedly followed the crew member to the galley, continuing to harass her by moving closer and cornering her in the confined space, police stated. After the crew member verbally protested and left the galley, the man allegedly pursued her into the aircraft aisle before finally returning to his seat only after she reported the incident to a supervisor.
The man was subsequently arrested upon the flight’s arrival at Changi Airport. Authorities have not disclosed details regarding the airline or flight number.
He will be charged with using criminal force on a person with intent to outrage modesty, and intentionally causing harassment. A conviction for using criminal force carries a potential sentence of up to three years in jail, a fine, caning, or a combination of these penalties. Intentionally causing harassment is punishable by up to six months in jail, a fine of up to $5,000 Singapore dollars (approximately $3,700 USD), or both, according to Singaporean law.
Recent cases involving similar offenses by foreign nationals in Singapore have resulted in significant penalties. In February 2024, an Indian national working as a staff nurse was jailed and caned for molesting a male visitor at a hospital, as reported by The Hindu. A Swedish man was jailed for over five months for molesting two women in a single day, as detailed in The Star.
