An Indian national has been convicted by a US federal jury of sexually assaulting a fellow passenger during a domestic flight, according to a press release issued by the US Attorney’s Office on January 30.
An Indian national has been found guilty by a US jury of sexually assaulting a passenger on a flight, facing two years in prison. (Image generated by AI for representation purpose only)Also Read | 2024 Ayodhya rape case: Convict sentenced to 20 years in prison
The convictions stem from an incident that occurred on August 29, 2024, when the accused, Varun Arora (38), was traveling on a flight from Rhode Island TF Greene International Airport to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. Court records cited by the US Attorney’s Office.
According to evidence presented during the trial, the woman awoke during the plane’s final landing to find Aurora sexually assaulting her, the press release said. Although the victim repeatedly pushed his hand away, Arora continued feigning sleep, using a sleep mask as cover, the court’s findings said.
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The U.S. Attorney’s Office also reported that Aurora is currently present in the United States without valid immigration status.
After the jury’s verdict, Aurora now faces a possible sentence of up to two years in prison. His sentencing is set for May 7, with a federal district court judge making the final sentencing decision after reviewing U.S. sentencing guidelines and other legal issues, according to the press release.
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The case was investigated by the FBI’s Washington Field Office, and is being prosecuted by Assistant US Attorney Russell L. Carlberg, along with Special Assistant US Attorney Madison Muma.
An Indian man has been jailed for molesting a 12-year-old child during a flightIn a similar incident, an Indian man was sentenced to prison for sexually assaulting a 12-year-old girl on a British Airways flight. The accused has been identified as 34-year-old Javed Inamdar, who was traveling from Mumbai to London in December 2024, when he assaulted the young woman while she was sleeping.
