Bengaluru, India: A 63-year-old passenger was arrested by the Kempegowda International Airport Police in Bengaluru after allegedly sexually harassing a cabin crew member onboard a Gulf Air flight operating from Bahrain to Bengaluru, according to police and multiple media reports.
The incident reportedly took place on May 4 during the airline’s scheduled international service to Bengaluru and came to light after the aircraft landed at Kempegowda International Airport’s Terminal 2.
According to the complaint filed by the 24-year-old cabin crew member, the alleged incident occurred while she was performing routine inflight service duties inside the cabin.
The FIR stated that the passenger, who was seated onboard the Gulf Air flight, allegedly moved his hand from beneath a blanket and touched the crew member near her waist while she was attending to passengers during the journey.
The crew member immediately objected to the alleged act and distanced herself from the passenger before reporting the matter to senior crew members and the flight captain during the flight.
Following the aircraft’s arrival in Bengaluru, airline officials coordinated with airport authorities and the crew member later approached the Kempegowda International Airport Police Station to file a formal complaint.
Based on her statement and preliminary inquiry, police registered a case under Section 75(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which deals with sexual harassment-related offences.
Authorities identified the accused as Jacob Alexander, aged 63. Police confirmed that he was detained for questioning shortly after the flight landed and was subsequently arrested.
Investigators are currently examining statements from the cabin crew, airline personnel and other relevant witnesses as part of the ongoing inquiry into the incident.
According to details cited in media reports and the FIR, the accused allegedly denied any intentional misconduct during questioning and reportedly described the physical contact as “friendly”. However, police proceeded with the case based on the complaint filed by the cabin crew member and the details recorded during the investigation.
