Daijiworld Media Network- San Francisco

San Francisco, Jul 29: In a dramatic mid-air enforcement operation, an Indian-origin Delta Airlines co-pilot was arrested shortly after his flight landed at San Francisco International Airport on Sunday. Rustom Bhagwagar (34) was taken into custody on serious charges related to child sexual assault.

The arrest unfolded barely ten minutes after Delta Flight 2809 from Minneapolis landed at around 7:05 am IST. According to reports, at least ten officers from the Contra Costa County Sheriff's Department and agents from Homeland Security Investigations stormed the aircraft while passengers were still unbuckling their seatbelts and preparing to disembark.

Eyewitnesses aboard the Boeing 757-300 recounted the intensity of the moment. “The officers and agents were pushing their way up through the aisle and into the cockpit with badges, guns, and different agency vests/markings, where they cuffed the co-pilot before leading him away,” a passenger told the San Francisco Chronicle.

The arrest, part of a months-long investigation launched in April 2025, came as a shock to both passengers and crew. Officials revealed that a Ramey arrest warrant had been issued following allegations of sex crimes against a minor. Homeland Security and local detectives had reportedly kept the move confidential to ensure that the accused had no opportunity to flee or be tipped off.

Bhagwagar’s fellow pilot stated he was unaware of the operation until it was executed, emphasizing that he had not been informed in advance to prevent any potential leak of the arrest plan.

The Contra Costa County Sheriff's Office confirmed the arrest via its official social media handles, stating that the investigation is ongoing. Authorities have not released further details regarding the nature of the allegations, but the case has already sent shockwaves through the aviation community.

Delta Airlines is yet to issue a formal statement regarding the incident.