A shocking alleged sexual assault on an international commercial flight bound for Perth has led to criminal charges against a 52-year-old Indian national, highlighting law enforcement’s zero-tolerance approach to in-air criminal activity. The incident unfolded on Monday aboard Scoot Airlines flight TR16, which was traveling from Singapore to Perth, with the accused sitting immediately adjacent to his alleged female victim, according to joint investigative statements from the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and Western Australia Police.
Within minutes of the non-consensual sexual acts occurring, the victim reached out to the flight’s cabin crew for help. Staff responded quickly by moving the woman to an alternate, safer seat and kept the suspect under constant observation for the remainder of the flight, pre-planning with law enforcement before landing. As soon as the aircraft touched down at Perth Airport, uniformed AFP officers escorted the man off the plane and took him into custody.
Local Western Australian publication *The West Australian* has publicly identified the accused as Sudhir Kumar Chahuan. He made his first court appearance on Tuesday, where he was formally remanded in custody. He is scheduled to make another court appearance this coming Friday to advance his case.
Chahuan faces four total criminal charges: one count of sexual intercourse without consent, and three additional counts of indecent acts committed without the victim’s consent. Under Australian criminal law, the most severe charge alone carries a maximum penalty of 12 years of imprisonment if he is convicted.
In an official statement released to the press following the arrest, AFP Acting Superintendent Peter Brindal emphasized that federal law enforcement maintains an uncompromising stance on any criminal behavior that occurs on aircraft or within Australian airport boundaries. “Every passenger has the right to feel safe when travelling, especially when confined in an aircraft close to other passengers,” Brindal said.
The acting superintendent also issued clear guidance for other passengers who may find themselves in similar situations, urging anyone who experiences unwanted sexual contact to reach out to authorities — whether that be airline crew, AFP officers, or airport security — as soon as it is safe to do so. “No act of indecency on an aircraft or at an airport is appropriate, and any travellers who break the law will be dealt with swiftly,” Brindal added.
At present, the investigation into the alleged incident is being conducted as a joint operation between the Australian Federal Police and Western Australia Police’s specialized sex assault squad, with both agencies working to build a full case ahead of Chahuan’s upcoming court appearance.