NEW YORK: An Indian-origin man, Bhaveshkumar Dahyabhai Shukla, has been formally charged with committing abusive sexual contact during a domestic flight in the United States. The incident allegedly took place on January 26 during a flight from Belgrade, Montana, to Dallas, Texas. Federal officials say Shukla, who resides in New Jersey, will appear before a Montana court on April 17 to face the charges. He was arrested after the alleged victim’s husband notified law enforcement, prompting authorities to intercept him at the airport upon arrival.
According to an affidavit filed by FBI Special Agent Chad McNiven, the victim informed investigators that Shukla first inappropriately touched her thighs, buttocks, and lower back, and ceased only when she objected. However, following her return from the restroom, she alleged that Shukla resumed his assault, this time using his coat in an attempt to conceal the act while making contact with her private areas. The victim’s immediate report through a text message to her husband enabled a swift response from the authorities, ensuring Shukla was apprehended before leaving the airport.
The affidavit further mentions that a fellow passenger corroborated the victim’s account, reinforcing the credibility of the complaint. The suspect, upon confrontation, initially claimed he could not speak English, although the victim stated that he had conversed fluently with her and her daughter in English earlier during the flight. Despite his denial, the language barrier claim was contradicted by his previous interactions, leading investigators to question his motives further.
Shukla appeared in a federal court in New Jersey following his arrest, where proceedings were conducted with the aid of a Gujarati interpreter. He later consented to be transferred to Montana for prosecution. The case has drawn significant public attention due to the nature of the crime and the setting in which it occurred — highlighting rising concerns over in-flight passenger safety and the swift legal recourse now being taken in the United States for such incidents.
