Chartered flight pilot booked for sexual harassment in Hyderabad

A sexual harassment case has been filed against a chartered flight pilot following allegations that he sexually assaulted a 26-year-old cabin crew member at a hotel in Bengaluru. The incident reportedly occurred on November 18, but the survivor approached the police only after returning to Hyderabad, where she submitted a formal complaint at the Begumpet Police Station.

Police officials in Hyderabad acted immediately upon receiving her statement and registered a Zero FIR under the relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). A Zero FIR allows a complaint to be filed at any police station regardless of where the alleged crime took place, ensuring that survivors do not face unnecessary delays due to jurisdictional issues. Once the FIR was registered, the case was promptly forwarded to the Halasuru Police Station in Bengaluru, which holds jurisdiction over the location where the alleged assault occurred.

“We registered the case and transferred it to the Halasuru Police Station in Bengaluru for further investigation. They are currently investigating the case,” Hyderabad police officials confirmed.

Bengaluru police have since taken over the investigation and are carrying out the necessary procedures to establish the sequence of events. Officers are recording detailed statements, gathering information about the interactions between the accused pilot and the cabin crew member, and collecting all available evidence from the hotel where the incident reportedly took place. This may include CCTV footage, hotel records, witness testimonies, and any other material that could help verify the survivor’s account.

Officials involved in the case have stated that the investigation is being handled with full seriousness and sensitivity. They emphasised that once the preliminary inquiry is completed and all critical evidence is examined, appropriate legal action will be initiated against the pilot based on the findings.

The case underscores the importance of mechanisms such as Zero FIR, which are designed to ensure immediate access to justice for survivors, particularly in situations involving interstate travel or workplace-related mobility. As Bengaluru police continue their investigation, further developments and official updates are expected as more clarity emerges on the case.