Air hostess alleges sexual harassment by Air India Express pilot

City Police have registered a case of sexual harassment against an Air India Express pilot based on a complaint filed by an air hostess.

The air hostess said in her complaint, filed with Valiyathura Police, that she was verbally abused by the pilot and mentioned incidents of physical contact and behaviour with sexual intent. The latest incident of alleged harassment which led to the complaint happened on September 18, on a flight from Thiruvananthapuram. Both the complainant and the suspect are natives of Thiruvananthapuram.

Valiyathura Sub-Inspector Jayaprakash V said police recorded the air hostess' statement in October. The First Information Report was filed on October 4. "She mentioned incidents in which the pilot made sexual innuendos during conversations. She has also alleged that he grabbed her once," the SI told DH on Friday. The case is registered under sections 354-A, 294(b), 342 and 506 of the IPC.

Another air hostess who had to resign from her job due to allegedly repeated sexual advances made by the pilot, told a television channel that the harassment continued through messages sent on social media, even after work hours. She alleged that the pilot used to insult her in public if she resisted his advances.

Summons likely

A source in Air India Express said the airline could not comment on allegations by a former employee. An official attached to the airline's division, which handles internal complaints on sexual harassment, said complaints were typically redressed without delay. "About this particular complaint, the police is handling it now. That doesn't leave us with much room to engage, apart from offering all help from our side," the official told DH, without confirming having received any complaint regarding the pilot.

Jayaprakash said the police were ascertaining charges against the pilot and were likely to summon him soon.