Actress Zaira Wasim ‘Molester’ Arrested By Mumbai Police
Last Updated on : 11 Dec,2017 | Source :
UNT News Desk
New Delhi:Police on Sunday arrested a 39-year-old man identified as Vikash Sachdev from Mumbai for allegedly molesting the teenaged Kashmiri actress on board a Vistara flight from Delhi to Mumbai on Saturday evening.
Bursting into tears, the 17-year-old actress, in an Instagram post, had said the passenger who was seated behind her was rubbing his foot against her back and neck while she was half asleep.
The Commissioner of Police Anil Kumbhare said the accused will be produced in court today.
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.
Meanwhile, Air Vistara told Kashmir Observer said it is carrying out a detailed investigation into the incident and a preliminary report has been submitted to aviation regulator Director General Of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
“We are deeply concerned and regret the unfortunate experience Ms. Zaira Wasim had onboard our flight last night,” Ms Shivalika Chadha, Press and Communication Officer, Air Vistara told Kashmir Observer. “We continue to give this case our highest attention and are extending our full support to all relevant authorities for the investigations underway.”
Ms Chadha said two members of Air Vistara senior management have flown to Mumbai to meet Ms. Wasim and assist in the investigation process.
“Once the police investigation kicks in and we know the degree of the crime committed, we’d take the necessary action as per the guidelines laid out,” she said.
Minister of State for Civil Aviation, Jayant Sinha said that he was deeply shocked about the incident and stressed on the actress filling an FIR.
“The passenger accused of molestation must be put on a 'No Fly list' and that there must be a through probe,” Sinha said. "Whatever action must be taken, will be done. This kind of behaviour should not take place."
The National Commission for Women (NCW) as well as the Delhi and Maharashtra commissions for women on Sunday also urged the teen actress to file a police complaint.
"I just saw the video on Instagram and my heart goes out to her,” chairperson NCW, Rekha Singh said. “I am really horrified the way this incident happened and after that the crew didn't help this girl. That was very shocking because Vistara claims that it has zero tolerance and they have not sensitise their crew to take action against men who torturing women on flight.”
Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti on Sunday said she was appalled by the incident and sought swift action in the matter.
"Any harassment/crime against women shld be dealt with swiftly & effectively. As a mother of 2 daughters I am appalled at what happened," she said. "Hope the relevant authorities take strict action." Mehbooba Mufti was quickly joined by the former Chief Minister and National Conference President, Omar Abdullah who tweeted: "The passenger should be identified to the police by @airvistara & a case filed for legal action. None of this "he fell at my feet so I forgive him" rubbish!"
After deboarding the UK981 Vistara flight, the actress recorded a video and shared it on the social networking site Instagram.
“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,” she said.
This is the worst thing," Zaira Wasim said, voice quivering, in the Instagram live video
Chief Strategy & Commercial Officer, Air Vistara, Mr. Sanjiv Kapoor told Kashmir Observer that the 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,” said Mr Kapoor adding “we apologize for what she experienced and we have zero tolerance for such behaviour.”
Meanwhile, the actress has been subjected to name-calling and trolling on Twitter with tweets saying the 17-year-old actress should have immediately brought the matter to attention rather than posting it on Instagram once landed.
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