SrinagarA sessions court here on Monday remanded the 39-year-old, Vikas Sachdev, arrested for allegedly molesting actor Zaira Wasim on-board a Delhi-Mumbai flight, in police custody till December 13.
Sachdev was presented before Judge A D Deo where Assistant Public Prosecutor Munna Inamdar sought his remand.
“Police need to verify the credentials of the accused, whether he is a repeat offender, Inamdar said while arguing before the court. The accused can influence the case since he holds a high position.”
Sachdev has been booked under section 354 (Assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty) of IPC, and relevant sections of Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO) since the actor is a minor.
According to the reports, Police on Sunday arrested Vikash Sachdev from Mumbai for allegedly molesting the teenaged Kashmiri actress on board a Vistara flight from Delhi to Mumbai on Saturday evening.
Top Bollywood actors, including Kareena Kapoor, Bhumi Pednekar and Madhuri Dixit, have condemned the alleged molestation of National Award-winning actor Zaira Wasim.
When asked about the incident, Pednekar said she was shocked to know about the alleged molestation but the actor was happy that Wasim showed courage to speak up about her ordeal.
I am appalled. She is a child. There is a problem in our culture where people think, especially if you are an actor, that you are their property. This is hugely problematic.
But I am very happy that she put it out on social media.
I am glad she took that step because it needs a lot of courage to speak, to come out and take a stand like that. More power to her, Pednekar said.
Actor Kareena Kapoor Khan said women are far superior than men and the females can rise above any difficulty.
I definitely feel women are way more superior than men. We are fighters and whichever situation it is in our life, personal or professional, we all come out as fighters.
When we talk about God, we talk about goddess. So, we look from the perspective of a woman.
When we talk about the earth, we say Mother Earth. So, whenever we talk about anything, we talk about women. Women are far superior (than men). So, they can fight out of every situation, Khan said.
Actor Taapsee Pannu, who has always raised her voice against violence against women, said, I just hope she gets justice. It is good that at least she has raised her voice.
Bursting into tears, the 17-year-old actress, in an Instagram post, had said the passenger who was seated behind her was rubbing his foot against her back and neck while she was half asleep.
The Commissioner of Police Anil Kumbhare said the accused will be produced in court today.
The businessman has been booked under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act or POCSO besides other sections of the law, senior police officer Lata Shirsat said.
Meanwhile, Air Vistara told Kashmir Observer said it is carrying out a detailed investigation into the incident and a preliminary report has been submitted to aviation regulator Director General Of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
We are deeply concerned and regret the unfortunate experience Ms. Zaira Wasim had onboard our flight last night, A spokesperson of Air Vistara told Kashmir Observer. We continue to give this case our highest attention and are extending our full support to all relevant authorities for the investigations underway.
She said two members of Air Vistara senior management have flown to Mumbai to meet Ms. Wasim and assist in the investigation process.
Once the police investigation kicks in and we know the degree of the crime committed, wed take the necessary action as per the guidelines laid out, she said.
Minister of State for Civil Aviation, Jayant Sinha said that he was deeply shocked about the incident and stressed on the actress filling an FIR.
The passenger accused of molestation must be put on a ‘No Fly list’ and that there must be a thorough probe, she said. “Whatever action must be taken, will be done. This kind of behaviour should not take place.”
The National Commission for Women (NCW) as well as the Delhi and Maharashtra commissions for women on Sunday also urged the teen actress to file a police complaint.
“I just saw the video on Instagram and my heart goes out to her, chairperson NCW, Rekha Singh said. I am really horrified the way this incident happened and after that the crew didn’t help this girl. That was very shocking because Vistara claims that it has zero tolerance and they have not sensitised their crew to take action against men who torturing women on flight.
Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti on Sunday said she was appalled by the incident and sought swift action in the matter.
“Any harassment/crime against women shld be dealt with swiftly & effectively. As a mother of 2 daughters I am appalled at what happened,” she said. “Hope the relevant authorities take strict action.” Mehbooba Mufti was quickly joined by the former Chief Minister and National Conference President, Omar Abdullah who tweeted: “The passenger should be identified to the police by @airvistara & a case filed for legal action. None of this “he fell at my feet so I forgive him” rubbish!”
After deboarding the UK981 Vistara flight, the actress recorded a video and shared it on the social networking site Instagram.
So, I just landed and you know the whole irony of this is that the guy… this is not done at all. This is not the way, this is not a girl should be made to feel because this is terrible. Is this how they are doing to take care of girls? No one will help us if we don’t decide to help ourselves, she said.
This is the worst thing,” Zaira Wasim said, voice quivering, in the Instagram live video
Chief Strategy & Commercial Officer, Air Vistara, Mr. Sanjiv Kapoor told Kashmir Observer that the crew only became aware of something amiss during final descent when they were seated for landing. Further details will come from the investigation which is currently ongoing in full force, said Mr Kapoor adding we apologize for what she experienced and we have zero tolerance for such behaviour.
Meanwhile, the actress has been subjected to name-calling and trolling on Twitter with tweets saying the 17-year-old actress should have immediately brought the matter to attention rather than posting it on Instagram once landed.
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