An Indian hairdresser was arrested in the United States for sexual harassment on a cruise ship.
An Indian hairdresser was charged with two counts of sexually abusive contact on a cruise ship when the ship docked in Seattle. Praneet Narayan Pawar, 26, was working on board as a hairdresser.
He was arrested last week when a complaint alleged that Pawar sexually harassed several passengers on the pretext of giving them massages. The incident occurred on board the Brilliant Lady cruise ship, operated by Virgin Voyages. She is one of the company’s newest ships to begin her inaugural tour in 2025, setting off from New York City to explore New England, Canada and the Caribbean.According to the criminal complaint, Pawar was hired to provide hair care services, but during a recent cruise to Alaska, he began offering massages to women who had booked hair care appointments.
In one incident, he allegedly offered the victim a free massage if she agreed to book three appointments at the salon. In the two cases charged in the complaint, Pawar allegedly moved the victims to a small room next to the salon, and while providing massages, Pawar allegedly moved his hands under the victims’ shirts and onto their chests.
In at least one case, Pawar allegedly locked the door before assaulting the victim.
The case is being tried in federal court because the crimes occurred within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States. The FBI is charged with investigating physical and sexual assaults within special maritime and territorial jurisdiction.The case is being investigated by the FBI and Assistant United States Attorney Sean White is prosecuting the case.The Magnificent ship departed Seattle on June 23 for a nine-night voyage to Alaska and the crimes occurred on or around June 26 while the ship was sailing in waters under U.S. maritime jurisdiction. The FBI arrested Pawar after Brilliant Lady returned to Seattle on July 2 and Pawar’s first court appearance was Monday in Tacoma. During interrogation with FBI agents, Pawar reportedly admitted that providing massages was not part of his duties and admitted that neither the salon nor the barbershop on board provided massage treatments.
According to investigators, Pawar also admitted to taking four to five women to the barbershop to provide massage services, leading authorities to suggest additional charges may follow as the investigation progresses.
