Singapore sentences Indian passenger to jail for molesting and cornering SIA flight attendant

SINGAPORE, June 23 — A man has been sentenced to six months in jail after molesting a Singapore Airlines flight attendant and later harassing her by cornering her in the aircraft's galley.

Akash Tiwari, 35, was also ordered on June 22 to pay S$1,270.95 (RM4,000) in compensation. The Indian national, who pleaded guilty to one count each of molestation and harassment, faces an additional five days behind bars should he fail to make the payment, The Straits Times reported.

The incident occurred on February 9 during a Singapore-bound flight from Thailand. Court documents reveal that Tiwari was travelling with four friends who became rowdy during the journey, waving frantically and laughing whenever a female crew member passed by.

The harassment began before takeoff in Bangkok. While the victim was confirming meal orders, Tiwari stretched out his arm to brush against her left upper thigh and laughed, while his friends joined in.

The victim immediately reported the incident to the chief stewardess and was moved to a different aisle to avoid the offender. Despite this, Tiwari struck again, using his left elbow to nudge the victim's buttock as she collected meal trays.

“She was very upset and told the accused not to touch her. Instead of apologising, he smirked,” Deputy Public Prosecutor Lynda Lee told the court. The victim, increasingly distressed, repeated her demand for him to stay away.

When the victim and the chief stewardess confronted Tiwari, he remained unapologetic and insisted he had done nothing wrong.

As the captain announced the plane's descent, the victim retreated to the galley. Tiwari followed her, standing extremely close and ignoring her pleas for him to stay away.

“Instead of moving away, the accused persisted with the same threatening behaviour by coming even closer and cornered the victim in the galley,” the DPP said.

The victim shouted for him to stop following her and attempted to leave the galley, but Tiwari continued to pursue her. Passengers in the aisle witnessed the encounter. Tiwari only ceased his harassment when the victim sought help from the chief stewardess. By then, the victim was in tears, visibly frightened, and shaking.

Tiwari was arrested immediately after the plane landed in Singapore.