Dangal Actress Zaira Wasim Says Molested On Air Vistara Flight, Suspect Arrested

New Delhi: Dangal actress Zaira Wasim has said she was molested on a flight from Delhi to Mumbai last night by a passenger who was sitting behind her. The 17-year-old, in an Instagram post, said the man was rubbing his foot against her back and neck while she was half asleep. The police have recorded her statement and arrested the accused from Mumbai.

The actor posted a video on the social media platform a little after midnight in which she narrated the harrowing incident onboard the Air Vistara flight, tears rolling down her cheeks.

"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. This is the worst thing," she said, voice quivering, in the Instagram live video.

Zaira Wasim said she tried to click a photo of the man, but couldn't get a clear shot due to dim lights.

"Managed to get this (shot of the molester's foot). The lights were dimmed so it was even worse. It continued for another 5-10 minutes and then I was sure of it. He kept nudging my shoulder and continued to move his foot up and down my back and neck," she posted.

"I tried to record it on my phone to understand it better. But because the cabin lights were dimmed, I failed to get it. I ignored it the first time, blamed the turbulence for it. Until I woke up to this pleasant sight of his beautiful foot rubbing my back and neck... Guess he couldn't sit like a civilized human being and placed his foot on my arm rest while he's fully 'pheloaed' his body on his seat (sic)" she added.
 

Zaira Wasim, in one of her posts, also slammed the airline. "Slow claps for Vistara's crew guys! Wonderful!" she wrote.

Air Vistara has said it is carrying out a detailed investigation into the case and a preliminary report has been submitted to aviation regulator DGCA. The airline has apologised "for what Ms Wasim faced and we have zero tolerance for such behaviour."

"It appears 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.

The civil aviation ministry and aviation watchdog DGCA have sought details from Air Vistara over the incident, news agency ANI reported. The National Commission of Women has also said it is sending a notice to the airline for not getting the accused arrested.