In a disturbing case that has shocked the aviation community, a 73-year-old man has been sentenced to nine months in jail after he was found guilty of molesting four cabin crew members on a Singapore Airlines flight. The incidents occurred on November 18, 2024, during a flight from San Francisco to Singapore, where the man, identified as Balasubramanian Ramesh, targeted the young stewardesses simply because he found them attractive.

Ramesh, who is a retired bank manager from India, faced four charges of molestation. The court heard that he committed separate acts of sexual misconduct against the stewardesses during the flight without consuming any alcohol, which could have potentially played a role in his behavior.

The prosecution presented a chilling timeline of events, detailing how Ramesh began his inappropriate actions shortly after the flight took off. As a 25-year-old stewardess passed him with a meal cart at about 3:30 AM, he leaned over and unlawfully touched her buttocks over her clothing, leaving her shocked and uncomfortable. Just minutes later, he continued his predation, this time targeting a 26-year-old stewardess, gripping her buttocks while she was busy serving another passenger.

Ramesh's misconduct didn't stop there. At approximately 9:30 AM, he placed his hand on the upper thigh of a 31-year-old stewardess who was assisting a passenger, and later, at around 5:30 PM, he inappropriately touched a 29-year-old stewardess who was preparing for landing. Alarmingly, this fourth victim was already warned by her colleagues about his prior behavior, illustrating a troubling pattern of predation.

When confronted by the fourth stewardess and her supervisor about the accusations, Ramesh denied any wrongdoing. However, the supervisor informed him that his actions had been reported to the police following the flight's landing at 6:45 PM. Ramesh was taken into custody later that day after being reported by staff at the Singapore Airlines control center.

During the sentencing, Deputy Public Prosecutor Ashley Chin emphasized the need for accountability, recommending a longer sentence of 9½ to 12½ months, arguing that Ramesh's targeted approach to multiple victims merited serious repercussions. In contrast, Ramesh's defense attorney argued for leniency, suggesting that the lack of direct skin-to-skin contact should influence the court's decision. However, due to the nature of the offenses, which fall under serious criminal activity, the judges opted for a significant penalty.

Remarkably, despite the charges involving serious sexual misconduct, Ramesh will not face caning, as he is over the age of 50. Each count of molestation can result in a maximum sentence of three years, fines, or other punitive measures.

This incident brings attention to the pressing issue of sexual harassment within the airline industry, stressing the importance of a safe working environment for crew members. As the world continues to grapple with issues surrounding consent and personal space, cases like these highlight the ongoing need for stricter regulations and protections for airline staff.