An Indian national has faced court after allegedly raping and indecently assaulting a female passenger on a flight from Singapore to Perth.
Sudhir Kumar Chahuan, 54, was arrested on after the Scoot Airlines flight landed on Monday morning and charged with one count of sexual intercourse without consent and three counts of indecent assault.
He appeared in Perth Magistrates Court on Tuesday where he was remanded in custody ahead of a bail hearing scheduled for Friday, The West Australian reported.
The Australian Federal Police said in a statement that the woman Chahuan allegedly assaulted was seated next to him on the flight, and was moved to another seat after she sought help from airline staff.
“Airline staff monitored the man for the remainder of the flight and alerted the AFP,” police said.
“AFP officers met the plane on its arrival at Perth Airport and escorted the man from the aircraft for questioning.
“The AFP and WA Police Sex Assault Squad are jointly investigating the alleged incident.”
Header image: A Scoot Airlines jet in Singapore before taking off for Perth in 2023 (YouTube).
