A US federal jury has found an Indian national guilty of allegedly sexually assaulting a fellow passenger during a domestic flight. The incident occurred in August 2024 and was confirmed in a press release issued by the US Attorney’s Office on January 30. Scroll down to know more.
Indian Man Sexually Assaults Woman On US Flight
The accused has been identified as Varun Arora, a 38-year-old Indian national. According to Hindustan Times, the jury convicted him of sexually assaulting a woman while travelling on a flight within the United States. As per NDTV, he was convicted on January 29, 2026 and could be sentenced to up to two years in prison.
According to court records, the incident happened on August 29, 2024. Arora was travelling from Rhode Island TF Green International Airport to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. During the flight’s final descent, the woman passenger woke up and realised that Arora was groping her.
The evidence presented during the trial showed that the victim tried to stop him. She repeatedly pushed his hand away. Despite this, Arora continued his actions. Prosecutors said he pretended to be asleep and used a sleep mask to avoid suspicion. The court found that he carried on with the assault even after the woman clearly resisted.
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More About This Case
According to the US Attorney’s Office, Arora is currently in the United States without a valid immigration status. After the jury found him guilty, the court scheduled his sentencing for May 7. As per Hindustan Times, a federal district court judge will decide how long he will be punished. Before announcing the sentence, the judge will study the US Sentencing Guidelines and other legal factors related to the case.
The FBI’s Washington Field Office handled the investigation in this case. Special Assistant US Attorney Madison Mumma is leading the prosecution, along with Assistant US Attorney Russell L Carlberg. Officials said the case highlights rising concerns about passenger safety on flights. US authorities have also made it clear that sexual assault on aircraft is considered a serious federal crime and is dealt with strictly under the law.
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