SIA Molestation Case Involving Indian National Triggers Online Backlash And Racial Remarks

A 35-year-old Indian national, Akash Tiwari, has been sentenced to 6 months' jail after molesting a Singapore Airlines stewardess during a flight and later cornering her in the galley while she tried to report the incident. He pleaded guilty to one count of molestation and one count of using threatening behaviour causing distress, and was also ordered to pay the victim around $1,270 in compensation.

The sentence sparked backlash online, with many netizens criticising what they saw as a lenient punishment and arguing that he should have been fined a larger amount.

The case was also reported by several Malaysian news outlets, where commenters expressed similar sentiments in the comments sections.

The court heard that Tiwari, who was travelling with 4 friends on a Singapore-bound flight in Feb, first brushed against the stewardess' upper thigh while she was confirming meal orders before take-off.

He later elbowed her in the buttock while she was pushing a meal cart, despite her telling him not to touch her.

When the victim went to report the incident, Tiwari allegedly followed her into the galley, stood extremely close to her and cornered her, causing further distress.

Prosecutors said his friends laughed throughout the ordeal, with one reportedly saying he wanted to have a beer and watch the "show".

Tiwari was arrested after the plane landed at Changi Airport.

Under Section 354(1) of Singapore's Penal Code, outrage of modesty (commonly referred to as molestation) is punishable by up to 3 years' jail, a fine, caning, or any combination of these punishments.

The second charge - using threatening behaviour that caused distress - falls under Singapore's Protection from Harassment Act, which carries a penalty of up to 6 months' jail, a fine of up to $5,000, or both.

This is not the first time netizens have highlighted the background and ethnicity of perpetrators in similar cases.

In Apr 2025, 2 Indian nationals were sentenced in separate cases involving molestation of SIA stewardesses. Rajat, 20, was jailed after pleading guilty for molesting a crew member on a flight, while 73-year-old Balasubramanian Ramesh was sentenced for molesting 4 stewardesses on a flight from San Francisco to Singapore in 2024.