’He touched my chest’

Says the Air India airhostess, who has accused a flight commander of molesting her

'He touched my chest'

Says the Air India airhostess, who has accused a flight commander of molesting her

As the enquiry into the mid-air scuffle on the Sharjah-Lucknow Air India (IC 884) flight progresses, the case seems to be becoming sleazier.

Distressed: The Air India airhostess, who has accused two pilots of molesting her file photo

Sources in Air India said the air hostess who has accused two pilots of molesting her on the flight, has given details about Flight Commander Ranbir Arora's 'misbehaviour' to the enquiry committee. Reportedly, she said Arora placed his hand on her chest and pushed her outside the cockpit. "This is what she has told the three-member enquiry committee in her statement," said a senior Air India official, wishing anonymity.

The official said prime facie it seemed the ruckus started because the airhostess made an early announcement on board. "When she was called inside the cockpit, the flight commander was unsatisfied with her reply. The situation aggravated as Amit Khanna, the flight purser, intervened and had a heated exchange of words with the commander and the co-pilot," said the official.

Flight Commander Ranbir Arora and Amit Khanna have been suspended for their 'greater involvement' in the scuffle, while airhostess and co-pilot Aditya Chopra will remain de-rostered till the completion of the departmental enquiry.

"The enquiry committee has submitted its report and has come to the conclusion that an altercation involving cockpit crew and cabin crew did take place on the flight. The commander and one of the cabin crew had greater involvement as compared to others in magnifying the altercation. Therefore, the management has decided to place these two employees under suspension," said Air India spokesperson late on Tuesday evening.

Air India further constituted a separate five-member committee, headedu00a0 byu00a0 au00a0 senioru00a0 womanu00a0 official,u00a0 tou00a0 examineu00a0 the charges of sexual harassment.

Theu00a0 committee began its investigations on Tuesday.

On the other hand, the president of the Indian Commercial Pilot's Association (ICPA) Shailendra Singh spoke in favour of the pilots and said they were not at fault, and no person can barge into the cockpit and pick up a fight with the pilots. "I have spoken to the pilot and the co-pilot. They had maintained their cool. There is a certain hierarchy in the cockpit that has to be followed," Singh said.