The actress posted a video on Instagram detailing the incident onboard an Air Vistara flight.
Highlights
- The actress said a man was rubbing his foot against her back and neck
- On Instagram, she narrated the episode with tears rolling down her eyes
- Air Vistara said it is carrying out a detailed investigation
A 39-year-old man was arrested in Mumbai on Sunday for allegedly molesting a teenage Bollywood actor on board a flight from Delhi to Mumbai on Saturday night, police said. The 17-year-old actress, in an Instagram post, had alleged that the passenger, who was sitting behind her, was rubbing his foot against her back and neck while she was half asleep. The actor posted a video on the social media platform a little after midnight, in which she narrated the harrowing incident on board an Air Vistara flight, tears rolling down her cheeks.
The man has been identified as Vikash Sachdev, news agency PTI reported. Deputy Commissioner of Police Anil Kumbhare said he will be produced in court on Monday.
The businessman has been booked under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act or POCSO besides other sections of the law, senior police officer Lata Shirsat said.
"So, I just landed and you know the whole irony of this is that the guy... this is not done at all. This is not the way, this is not a girl should be made to feel because this is terrible. Is this how they are doing to take care of girls? No one will help us if we don't decide to help ourselves. This is the worst thing," she said, voice quivering, in the Instagram live video.
She said she tried to click a photo of the man, but couldn't get a clear shot due to dim lights.
"Managed to get this (shot of the molester's foot). The lights were dimmed so it was even worse. It continued for another 5-10 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 posted, also slamming the airline saying, "Slow claps for Vistara's crew guys! Wonderful!" she wrote.
Air Vistara has said it is carrying out a detailed investigation into the case and a preliminary report has been submitted to aviation regulator DGCA. The airline has apologised.
"It appears crew only became aware of something amiss during final descent when they were seated for landing. Further details will come from the investigation which is currently ongoing in full force," it said.
(This story has been updated to remove the actor's name since she is a minor.)