LONDON- British Airways (BA), a leading global airline, faces serious allegations against one of its cabin bosses, Amardip Dhariwal, accused of sexually assaulting a stewardess in 2022.
The case, unfolding at Reading Crown Court, also references earlier uncharged rape allegations from work trips abroad.
The trial highlights incidents involving three women between 2018 and 2022, raising concerns about workplace conduct at British Airways.
British Airways Cabin Boss Allegation
Amardip Dhariwal, a 54-year-old British Airways (BA) in-flight lead known as “Amo,” faces a single charge of sexual assault by penetration at Reading Crown Court.
The primary incident occurred in May 2022 at Dhariwal’s home in Bracknell, Berkshire, where he allegedly assaulted a sleeping stewardess after a night of drinking beer, wine, and whisky.
According to the Daily Mail, the victim, who was engaged at the time, described waking to find Dhariwal touching her inappropriately while they watched a film.
She reportedly pretended to be asleep before leaving when he went to bed. The woman had referred to Dhariwal as her “work husband” in a social media post, describing the meeting as a “date,” though Dhariwal claimed to police that any interaction was consensual.
The court also heard allegations from two other women who claim Dhariwal raped them during work trips abroad, though these are not part of the current indictment.
The first incident allegedly occurred in June 2018 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (KUL), where Dhariwal is accused of raping a stewardess who was drunk and asleep in a hotel room.
The second alleged assault took place in March 2020 in Singapore (SIN), where another colleague woke up naked in Dhariwal’s hotel room, confused about the events.
When confronted on Facebook, Dhariwal reportedly responded, “You didn’t say no in bed, hun.”
Singapore police investigated but took no further action, and British police received no assistance from them.
Court Proceedings
Dhariwal, from Southall, West London, denies the charge of assault by penetration and maintains that no wrongdoing occurred.
His defense hinges on the claim that any interactions were consensual. The trial at Reading Crown Court continues to examine evidence, including testimony from the three women, though only the 2022 incident forms the basis of the formal charge.
The uncharged rape allegations from Malaysia and Singapore provide context but are not part of the current legal proceedings.
Implications for British Airways
The allegations against Dhariwal raise significant questions about workplace culture and oversight within British Airways (BA).
As an in-flight lead managing long and short-haul flights, Dhariwal held a position of responsibility, making these accusations particularly concerning.
The incidents, spanning from 2018 to 2022, highlight potential vulnerabilities during work-related trips, where alcohol consumption and informal settings may blur professional boundaries.
British Airways has not publicly commented on the case, but the trial could prompt the airline to review its policies on crew conduct, especially during layovers abroad.
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