SINGAPORE- A 20-year-old Indian national identified only as Rajat has been charged with molestation after allegedly assaulting a Singapore Airlines (SQ) flight attendant and forcing her into a lavatory on February 28, 2025.
The incident represents the second molestation case involving Singapore Airlines reported in April, following the sentencing of 73-year-old Balasubramanian Ramesh, who received nine months’ jail after pleading guilty to molesting four cabin crew members on a flight from San Francisco (SFO) to Singapore (SIN).
Singapore Airlines Passenger Charged
Court documents reveal that Rajat allegedly committed the offense around 11:20 am when he grasped a 28-year-old cabin crew member from behind and pushed her into a lavatory as she bent to pick up tissue paper from the floor.
A female passenger who witnessed the incident immediately helped the flight attendant out of the lavatory, and the matter was promptly reported to the cabin supervisor.
Upon the aircraft’s arrival at Changi Airport (SIN), officers from the Airport Police Division arrested Rajat. He is expected to enter a plea on May 14, 2025.
Singapore’s legal system treats molestation cases with significant severity. Under Singapore law, each count of molestation can result in imprisonment for up to three years, fines, caning (for eligible offenders), or any combination of these punishments.
Similar Incidents
The earlier case involved retiree Balasubramanian Ramesh, who was sentenced on April 2 after admitting to four molestation charges.
The court heard that Balasubramanian, a former bank manager from India, molested four Singapore Airlines flight attendants during a flight from San Francisco to Singapore in November 2024, reportedly because he “found them attractive.” Notably, the court established that Balasubramanian had not consumed alcohol during the flight.
In addition to the four charges he pleaded guilty to, three other similar charges involving one of the victims were considered during his sentencing. Being over 50 years old, Balasubramanian was not eligible for caning under Singapore law.
British Crew Arrested
In March 2025, Singapore authorities detained a British Airways (BA) crew member following accusations of sexually assaulting a female colleague. The incident allegedly occurred after staff members attended a social gathering between scheduled flights.
The Sun reports that the accused remains in custody while Singapore authorities conduct their investigation. Two female British Airways employees connected to the incident returned safely to the United Kingdom.
The allegations have created significant distress among British Airways personnel, particularly as the accused reportedly has several years of service with the airline.
Airline management faces considerable challenges as the case falls under Singapore’s legal jurisdiction. Singapore enforces strict penalties for sexual assault convictions, with guilty verdicts potentially resulting in up to 20 years imprisonment plus fines or corporal punishment for victims over age 14.
This incident also follows a separate ongoing case involving an experienced British Airways pilot previously accused of sexually assaulting a stewardess during off-duty hours in Singapore.
Two Abusive Passengers Removed
Singapore Airlines has reaffirmed its commitment to workplace safety following an incident of verbal and physical abuse directed at cabin crew aboard Flight SQ826 on February 6, 2025. The disturbance occurred during taxi for takeoff on the Singapore-Shanghai route, scheduled for a 1:15 AM departure.
Flight crew executed immediate safety protocols, returning the Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner (registered as 9V-SCS) to the terminal gate. Changi Airport authorities took custody of the disruptive passenger and their companion, ensuring the safety of remaining passengers and crew members.
The airline’s spokesperson emphasized SIA’s zero-tolerance policy toward abusive behavior while maintaining strict confidentiality regarding the passenger’s identity. The incident caused a flight delay of 1 hour and 46 minutes, with eventual departure at 3:01 AM.
A TikTok video captured part of the disruption, showing a woman shouting in Mandarin as cabin crew attempted to manage the situation. The footage documents the crew’s efforts to maintain order during the incident.
Singapore Airlines disclosed its comprehensive crew training protocols, highlighting staff preparedness to identify and address potentially threatening passenger behavior. The spokesperson detailed crew vigilance requirements and their authority to handle security concerns within the aircraft cabin.
The airline maintains stringent pre-boarding screening measures, authorizing ground staff to deny boarding to disruptive passengers. Singapore Airlines issued an apology to affected passengers while reinforcing its prioritization of customer and staff safety.
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