Explorer

Bollywood actress alleges mid-air molestation, accused arrested!

Mumbai: A 17-year-old Bollywood actress has alleged she was molested mid-air by a middle-aged man, drawing strong reactions by women rights activists and politicians. The airline apologized and Mumbai Police, which registered an FIR, arrested the accused on Sunday. The National Award winning Kashmiri actress complained about her ordeal on the flight on Saturday, claiming that a middle-aged man seated behind her moved his foot up and down her neck and back. In a self-shot video for Instagram live chat, she is also seen breaking down. "I just landed, the whole irony of this that I yelled... and this is not done... this is not how you should be treated or made to feel. This is terrible. "This is how they will take care of girls? No one will help us if we don't decide to help ourselves and that is the worst thing," she said, looking visibly disturbed. PICS: ‘Secret Superstar’ actress Zaira Wasim celebrates her 17th birthday with director Advait Chandan! Late on Sunday night, the Mumbai Police arrested the accused, identified as Vikas Sachdeva, 39. According to police, Sachedeva, a resident of Andheri, was earlier detained this afternoon and questioned before arrested for molestation and on other charges. The incident drew wide condemnation. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti said she was appalled. "Any harassment or crime against women should be dealt with swiftly and effectively. As a mother of two daughters, I am appalled at what happened ," Mufti tweeted and urged the authorities to take strict action. Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said the passenger should be identified by Air Vistara and a case should be filed. The Civil Aviation Ministry has sought a report on the incident while the National Commission for Women (NCW) as well as the Delhi and Maharashtra commisions for women urged the actress to approach police. NCW chairperson Rekha Sharma, Swati Maliwal of the Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) and Maharashtra State Commission for Women (MSCW) Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar, issued notices to authorities concerned to take due action. DCW has already sought answers from Vistara Airlines seeking details of the action taken by airlines. Vistara Airlines apologized to the actress and said it was carrying out a detailed investigation. "We will support her in every way required and also if she decides to report this matter to the police... We apologize for what she experienced and we have zero tolerance for such behaviour," read a post on the Airlines' official Twitter page. From the film industry, director Onir and actress Swara Bhasker came out in support of the victim, who was also lauded for her performance in a recent movie. "Shame Vistara that your staff did nothing. Shame on all the passengers, they are equally guilty as this moron. It should not be difficult for airlines to locate him from seat no. He should be arrested and punished," Onir tweeted. Swara slammed it an "intolerable" incident and said: "We are now at that point where a 17-year-old child has to remind us what is right and what is wrong. I'm so sorry that adults around you let you down. But you keep up the good fight. Stay strong. Wrestler Babita Phogat tweeted a video in support. "If someone is misbehaving with you, give a tight slap on their face. They will never dare to repeat their actions again, you don't need to be afraid of anyone and just be 'dhaakad' (bold) in real life as well.
View More
Advertisement

IPL Auction 2025

Most Expensive Players In The Squad
Virat Kohli
₹21 CR
Josh Hazlewood
₹12.50 CR
Phil Salt
₹11.50 CR
View all
Most Expensive Players In The Squad
Rishabh Pant
₹27 CR
Nicholas Pooran
₹21 CR
Ravi Bishnoi
₹11 CR
View all
Most Expensive Players In The Squad
Jasprit Bumrah
₹18 CR
Suryakumar Yadav
₹16.35 CR
Hardik Pandya
₹16.35 CR
View all
Most Expensive Players In The Squad
Heinrich Klaasen
₹23 CR
Pat Cummins
₹18 CR
Abhishek Sharma
₹14 CR
View all
Most Expensive Players In The Squad
Ruturaj Gaikwad
₹18 CR
Ravindra Jadeja
₹18 CR
Matheesha Pathirana
₹13 CR
View all
Most Expensive Players In The Squad
Shreyas Iyer
₹26.75 CR
Arshdeep Singh
₹18 CR
Yuzvendra Chahal
₹18 CR
View all
Most Expensive Players In The Squad
Sanju Samson
₹18 CR
Yashaswi Jaiswal
₹18 CR
Riyan Parag
₹14 CR
View all
Most Expensive Players In The Squad
Venkatesh Iyer
₹23.75 CR
Rinku Singh
₹13 CR
Varun Chakaravarthy
₹12 CR
View all
Most Expensive Players In The Squad
Rashid Khan
₹18 CR
Shubman Gill
₹16.50 CR
Jos Buttler
₹15.75 CR
View all
Most Expensive Players In The Squad
Axar Patel
₹16.50 CR
KL Rahul
₹14 CR
Kuldeep Yadav
₹13.25 CR
View all
Advertisement
25°C
New Delhi
Rain: 100mm
Humidity: 97%
Wind: WNW 47km/h
See Today's Weather
powered by
Accu Weather
Advertisement

Top Headlines

Maharashtra CM To Be From BJP, Two Deputies, Oath-Taking Likely On Dec 2 — What We Know So Far
Maharashtra CM To Be From BJP, Two Deputies, Oath-Taking Likely On Dec 2 — What We Know So Far
Court Agrees To Hear Petition Claiming Ajmer Dargah As Shiv Temple, Summons Dargah Committee, ASI
Court Agrees To Hear Petition Claiming Ajmer Dargah As Shiv Temple, Summons Dargah Committee, ASI
'Never Had Disagreements In Mahayuti': Fadnavis Says After Shinde Leaves CM Post Decision To BJP
'Never Had Disagreements In Mahayuti': Fadnavis Says After Shinde Leaves CM Post Decision To BJP
Retired Bureaucrats, Judges Seek PM Modi's Intervention After Chinmoy Das' 'Unjust' Arrest In Bangladesh
Retired Bureaucrats, Judges Seek PM Modi's Intervention After Chinmoy Das' 'Unjust' Arrest In Bangladesh
Advertisement
ABP Premium

Videos

Sambhal Clash: Silence spread in Hindu Kheda area near Jama Masjid, houses locked...people missingABP News: Big news on Devendra Fadnavis, Eknath Shinde, Maharashtra Elections, Sambhal CaseSambhal Masjid Clash: Why was Kashmir mentioned amid Sambhal violence? Watch the report | ABP NewsMP News: How right or wrong is the ban on Muslim shops during Maha Kumbh? | ABP News | Hindi News

Photo Gallery

Embed widget