Daijiworld Media Network- New York
New York, Apr 8: An Indian-origin man has been charged with sexually assaulting a fellow passenger aboard a domestic flight in the United States, according to federal officials.
Bhaveshkumar Dahyabhai Shukla, 36, is facing charges of “abusive sexual contact” during a flight from Belgrade, Montana, to Dallas, Texas, which occurred on January 26. The charge was formally announced by Montana federal prosecutor Kurt Alme last week.
Shukla, a resident of New Jersey, was taken into custody there and has agreed to be transferred to Montana to face prosecution. He is expected to appear in a federal court on April 17.
According to court filings accessed by IANS, the alleged victim alerted her husband via a text message during the flight, prompting him to immediately contact law enforcement authorities. Upon landing, Shukla was intercepted by airport police.
An affidavit filed by FBI Special Agent Chad McNiven stated that the accused allegedly touched the woman inappropriately on two separate occasions during the flight. The victim informed investigators that Shukla initially groped her thighs, buttocks, and lower back, stopping only after she expressed her discomfort.
However, upon returning from the restroom, the woman alleged that Shukla again touched her inappropriately — including rubbing her private areas — using his coat in an apparent attempt to conceal the act. These claims were supported by a witness sitting nearby, the affidavit noted.
The victim’s text to her husband played a crucial role in triggering swift intervention. When approached by authorities, Shukla initially claimed he could not speak English — a statement disputed by the victim, who said he had earlier conversed fluently in English with her and her daughter.
Despite this, court documents revealed that a Gujarati interpreter was provided during his preliminary appearance in a New Jersey federal court following his arrest.
The case has drawn sharp attention due to the serious nature of the allegations and the swift legal action taken across state jurisdictions. If convicted, Shukla could face significant penalties under US federal law.