39-year-old man arrested for molesting actor Zaira Wasim on flight
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The man who allegedly molested actor Zaira Wasim on board a Delhi-Mumbai flight last night was arrested here on Sunday after a huge public outcry over the incident prompted the Maharashtra State Commission for Women to seek an enquiry into the "shameful" incident.
The 39-year-old Vikas Sachdev was arrested late in the evening, police said.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Anil Kumbhare said he will be produced in the court tomorrow.
Sachdev has been booked under section 354 (Assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty) of IPC, and relevant sections of Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO) since the actor is a minor, Senior Police Inspector, Sahar, Lata Shirsat, said.
The airline--Vistara--said it has submitted an initial report to the regulator DGCA about the incident which created an uproar and invited all-round condemnation.
Vistara, which is a joint venture between Tata Sons and Singapore Airlines, regretted the "unfortunate experience" and apologised to Wasim.
It also said senior members of the management team have been flown to Mumbai to meet the Dangal actor Zaira Wasim, who narrated her ordeal on Instagram.
Wasim said she was on a Vistara flight last night from Delhi to Mumbai when a co-passenger sitting behind her put his feet on her armrest.
"We are deeply concerned and regret the unfortunate experience Zaira Wasim had onboard our flight last night. We continue to give this case our highest attention and are extending our full support to all relevant authorities for the investigations underway," the airline said in a latest statement issued late evening.
In addition, Vistara has submitted an initial report to the DGCA and also given all necessary details to the police, the airline said.
"Members of our senior management have flown to Mumbai to meet Wasim and assist in the investigation process," it added.
In the video, which Wasim recorded immediately after deboarding the flight, the 17-year-old actor broke down several times.
"So, I was in a flight travelling from Delhi to Mumbai today and right behind me one middle-aged man who made my two-hour journey miserable. I tried to record it on phone to understand it better because the cabin lights were dimmed, I failed to get it..." she said.