Australian Federal Police (AFP) and Western Australia Police allege the man, 52, committed “non-consensual sexual acts” on the woman who was seated next to him on Monday.
The West Australian has identified the man as Sudhir Kumar Chahuan, after he faced court on Tuesday and was remanded in custody ahead of a further appearance on Friday.
> Mr Chahuan is charged with one count of sexual intercourse without consent and three counts of act of indecency without consent
Raping a woman on a f****** airplane. What the f***
Here’s the statement from the Australian Federal Police: https://www.afp.gov.au/news-centre/media-release/man-charged-wa-over-alleged-sexual-assault-international-flight
1802
Hayabusa_BlacksmithApr 15, 2026
+1161
how does that even happen???? what the f*** happened on that flight
1161
igetproteinfartsHELPApr 15, 2026
+932
That’s what i’m trying to figure out. This is insane.
So this guy was sitting next to this woman and tried to sexually assault her. And he penetrated as well. Jesus f****** christ.
The low-cost subsidiary of Singapore Airlines said the flight took off from Singapore at about 3am and landed in Perth at about 8am.
Since the flight took off at 3 am, I am assuming the lights were dull and that’s what he took advantage of and raped her. These are my assumptions, how did the r*** take place has not yet been published at any news website that i’ve searched for at the moment.
932
didsomebodysaymynameApr 15, 2026
+959
In Australia it appears this offense would include penetration of any kind, objects, fingers.
The article also says she asked for help and was moved.
So given this happened in seats I'm guessing it was digital penetration.
959
ButterscotchPlane988Apr 15, 2026
+287
It is possible that he did this while she was asleep and she woke up during or immediately after. Sorry for her but happy to see the system at work. Lets trust the proces and that the evidence supports an appropriate sentance if convicted.
287
pvincentlApr 15, 2026
+263
Ah. The Trump Special.
263
spinbuttonApr 15, 2026
+50
So completely gross. It is really difficult to remind myself that not all men are dangerous...but some days.....feh
50
joseph31091Apr 15, 2026
+31
What is digital penetration?
31
strongjzApr 15, 2026
+450
Fingers are called digits.
450
tronald_dumApr 16, 2026
+19
So are toes
19
KirbyGloverApr 15, 2026
+134
Penetration with your digits aka fingering someone
134
MisterDecemberApr 15, 2026
+49
Sounds like hacking your IT systems, but that’s not it
49
Rope_slingin_champApr 15, 2026
+89
Wondering if he put his hands down her pants while she was sleeping. That poor woman. Jesus christ
89
Sleepergiant2586Apr 15, 2026
+111
Was this some private chartered flight types and this guy is some rich weirdo ?
How can this happen in a big flight with 100+ ppl.
111
igetproteinfartsHELPApr 15, 2026
+91
Scoot Airlines flight TR16, travelling from Singapore to Perth
91
jfjfjfpdpd6969Apr 15, 2026
+90
I’ve been on a Scoot 787 type plane (which I assume TR16 uses) but on a different route. The layout on economy is 3-3-3 and the flight is pretty well lit even with the lights off. How the heck did this even happen is beyond me.
90
Queasy_Dirt7197Apr 15, 2026
+187
Most probably finger penetration, which is still r***
187
mrniceguy777Apr 15, 2026
+182
Ya i think people are seeing the word r*** and not applying the broader term then just like p**** forced in the v*****, my assumption is she woke up with his hands in her pants. So fucked.
182
MajesticQApr 15, 2026
+24
It's sexual assault in my place's jurisdiction. Anything other than p**** used for sexual penetration.
24
igetproteinfartsHELPApr 15, 2026
+52
The flight took off at 3 am. I’m assuming the lights were dull and this is what the man took advantage of.
52
flightless_mouseApr 15, 2026
+77
For sure. Everyone is asleep or exhausted and no one is paying attention. An assault with hands can happen in seconds.
It is also worth applauding the woman for seeking help. I know many will look at the situation and think “Of course she’s going to ask for help—she was sexually assaulted on a plane.” But when something bizarre happens in unfamiliar circumstances—and especially if you’ve been asleep—disbelief and shock can sometimes paralyze you.
77
Sleepergiant2586Apr 15, 2026
+2
Quite sure, the flight could have been empty types then. Maybe 3-4 passengers only. I highly doubt these incidents can happen with packed flight.
2
bullza123Apr 15, 2026
+46
clearly you have not been a long haul flight in a while. Lights are virtually shut off, crew will only walk alleys for passenger requests and most people are knocked out or glued to the screen in front of them.
46
jerryTcuntApr 15, 2026
+9
Especially if it’s over large spans of water where not even onboard WiFi is accessible. There’s just not much to do besides sleep.
9
SargeUnitedApr 15, 2026
+11
I’m from New York, you’d be surprised what I can ignore.
That’s a joke but seriously though I wouldn’t even notice. I use noise canceling headphones and mind my own business
11
cruiserman_80Apr 15, 2026
+3
Unlikely that anyone is flying a 787 or similar almost empty in the current fuel price situation.
3
mickelboy182Apr 15, 2026
+9
It was a 3am flight. Dimmed lights and people sleeping
9
ComfortOk9194Apr 16, 2026
+7
Bystander effect. People sleeping. Lights off. Headphones in. Eye masks on. People “minding their own business”. Aircrew in their own seats or staff area. Don’t need to be a rich weirdo, just a dirty sleazy creep with a pair of dirty sleazy hands…
7
Best_Elk9689Apr 15, 2026
+3
It’s a low cost budget carrier: Scoot. This budget carrier is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Singapore Airlines. Singapore Airlines entered into partnership with Air India, which may or may not have helped Scoot gain prominence amongst travelers from India as a budget airline option.
3
kapatinphalconApr 15, 2026
+22
I think once you r*** someone, it's no longer trying to sexual assault someone.
22
AccordingComplaint46Apr 15, 2026
+3
Good lord I hope he gets the electric chair
3
didsomebodysaymynameApr 15, 2026
+121
In Australia it appears this offense would include penetration of any kind, objects, fingers.
The article also says she asked for help and was moved.
So given this happened in seats I'm guessing it was digital penetration.
121
Hayabusa_BlacksmithApr 15, 2026
+14
I figured that had to be likely. absolutely bonkers...
14
belortikApr 15, 2026
+30
Probably with his hand
30
Capt-Crap1cornApr 15, 2026
+9
Yeah like wtf
9
[deleted]Apr 15, 2026
+95
[removed]
95
seabmarinerApr 16, 2026
+1
Probably an unpopular opinion, but if it was the other direction, the perp is gonna get judicial caning, mandatory jail and deportation for this. But this would be considered to be cruel and unusual punishment by the westerners here.
1
MooKidsApr 15, 2026
+335
For those confused, "sexual intercourse" as defined by Australian law can include.
>the penetration, to any extent, of the genitalia or a*** of a person by any part of the body of another person, except if that penetration is carried out for a proper medical purpose or is otherwise authorised by law
https://www5.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/act/consol_act/ca190082/s50.html#aggravated_offence
335
ActsOfVApr 16, 2026
+34
I know it happened but I don’t know how the guy can go through with it without getting someone noticed it. I get that sometimes women will not scream because of shock but someone else on the plane will see the act right?
34
mistym0rningApr 16, 2026
+61
Have you ever been on a red-eye flight where the whole plane is basically dark at night except for a little bit of light from the TV screens that some people keep on? Most people will be asleep, and it’ll be dark and quiet. The flight attendants also don’t walk around as much.
Something can easily happen to a woman in her sleep without anyone around seeing. :(
61
AwkwardWillow5159Apr 16, 2026
+25
If fingering is penetration and she was asleep, it all could have happened very quickly
25
QueenErisApr 16, 2026
+30
Very quickly indeed. When I was assaulted like this on a train late evening the man's hand was up my skirt and his other arm across my chest in f****** seconds. I was so shocked I couldn't move. I was also terrified he'd got a knife or something similar and he was too strong to wriggle away from. He was pushing me against the window. He could have easily forced me off the train. If I'd screamed, would he have killed me? What if he DID have that knife? He moved away as the train got busier and I just sat there shaking. I was 14, a chubby little weirdo with messy hair and crappy clothes. I didn't tell anyone, too scared and shocked. Eventually in my 30s I finally got therapy for ptsd and talked about all the sexual assaults I'd experienced from strangers and family and found some peace. But you can't control your nightmares. And no, I'm not some classic beauty. Just being a girl or a woman makes you a potential victim for men no matter how you look or dress. One of the first things you're taught as a girl going out into the world is beware of strange men. I wish it wasnt like that. I know no women who have not been assaulted.
30
AtomicBlastCandyApr 15, 2026
+332
I can't imagine the trauma that women attacked feels. I hope that her friends and family support her and that she is able to see a professional therapist.
332
ZacEfronIsntRealApr 15, 2026
+367
Sexual assault and r*** on flights happens more than people may expect. This is US data but in 2024 the FBI investigated 170 cases just in the US: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/sexual-assaults-on-airplanes-cbs-news-investigation/
It's more common on long haul flights and often at night when most passengers and sometimes even the victim may be asleep.
367
billienightingaleApr 15, 2026
+220
Yep. A family member of mine was a flight attendant for more than a decade. Over that time she had to deal with instances of men groping female passengers, masturbating, watching p*** on their phones or iPads etc. Usually this happens at night when people are sleeping. Once I asked to be moved on a flight when the drunk man seated next to me kept ‘accidentally’ touching me.
220
flextendoApr 15, 2026
+100
I wonder what the actual f*** is wrong with those men, like why did the society never correct such behavior, because I guess doing something like that during a flight is just the tip of the iceberg. I sincerely hope that any witness would immediately intervene.
100
RainyDayColorApr 15, 2026
+86
In many cultures, a girl or woman reporting a sexual assault is punished more severely than the offender. The long-term social ramifications can be horrific. The silence of the societal “shame” considered *created by the victim*, and now also assumed by their immediate and extended family and beyond, means the assault is not reported, it never happened, and there’s nobody to be “corrected” by that same society. And so sexual predation implicitly perpetuates as “normal” and “acceptable.” For many victims, it's the expected cost of doing life.
86
NoxTempusApr 16, 2026
+7
"In many cultures", yeah, like the west.
People like to blow up the "man accused but not charged/convicted" stories, but if you've ever talked to a r*** victim the whole system sounds tailor-made to dissuade them from coming forward.
Edit: Some dipshits interpreted this to mean "only in the west" and not "also in the west". Women elsewhere being jailed, married to their accusers, and/or killed for being raped doesn't excuse how the west treats r***/SA victims.
7
piketpagiApr 16, 2026
+16
Boys will be boys shit. I mean, there is a scandal of leaked men chat group who sexualized girls around them. Many defend it as a normal thing.
16
OutlulzApr 16, 2026
+38
Society rarely corrects that behavior from men. Modern history is the most men have been called out and punished and it's nowhere near at the levels to address the problem.
The President of the United States raped multiple women and underage girls. Obviously society does not see it as a problem.
38
dirtybo0tsApr 16, 2026
+5
It’s called the patriarchy and misogyny.
5
futuranotfreeApr 16, 2026
+8
just generally what is wrong in male culture is the question
8
Standard-Image-8826Apr 15, 2026
+60
it happened to me once on a flight when i was only 17. i was cornered in the window seat and had to spend 10 hours next to that monster 😞
60
TwoHungryBlackbirdssApr 15, 2026
+18
So sorry, friend
18
Standard-Image-8826Apr 16, 2026
+17
thanks, I'm fine. just need to teach young women to speak up to authorities when there are creeps!
17
billienightingaleApr 15, 2026
+12
I’m so sorry that happened to you. When it happened to me I was travelling alone on South African Airways and lets just say those flight attendants took care of business.
12
pufftanufflesApr 15, 2026
+67
At 52 years old, I’m sure that’s not his first time
67
SoundtonesApr 15, 2026
+231
How the f*** do you r*** someone on a flight, without anybody knowing or stopping?!!
231
MooKidsApr 15, 2026
+175
Sexual intercourse as defined by Australian law includes penetration using any part of the body, not necessarily with a p****. So a finger into a v***** or a*** would count.
https://www5.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/act/consol_act/ca190082/s50.html#aggravated_offence
175
blazinsmokeyApr 15, 2026
+2
Nose mouth and ears too. Not sure eye sockets count tho
2
Showdown5618Apr 16, 2026
+14
My guess is that it happened when passengers were sleeping during a long flight, and the lights were dimmed. It doesn't have to be his p**** to count as intercourse, so this dirtbag scum probably stuck his finger where he shouldn't. I hope he gets what he deserves.
14
Confident-Visual7651Apr 15, 2026
+47
Whats wrong with people this dude thought this was normal and to do it while flying is insane
47
mrstarfish3Apr 16, 2026
+72
He happens to be from one of the most sexist (also racist) countries in the world with the highest rates of r*** and violence towards women
72
[deleted]Apr 16, 2026
+22
[removed]
22
Training_Win3650Apr 16, 2026
+1
There may be higher cases in india but I don't think the average Indian thinks this is ok
1
L3onskiiApr 15, 2026
+145
Article states they were sitting next to each other. So I'm assuming that walking bag of shit touched her while in their seats. Then she left and alerted the staff who promptly assigned her to another seat
145
igetproteinfartsHELPApr 15, 2026
+141
Yes. He was also charged with sexual intercourse without consent, that’s 4 charges total. 3 counts of indecent sexual assault. The penetration without consent charge carried a maximum sentence of 12 years.
141
yankykiwiApr 16, 2026
+26
I had asked my doctor for something strong to knock me out for the 18hour flight to USA.
When I woke up, the Indian man next to me was shoving his business card in my face and getting all up in my business.
I won’t ever drug myself like that again in public.
26
opal_lanternsApr 15, 2026
+161
Absolutely horrifying. People imagining “how is this possible” are underestimating how frozen and quiet victims can be. Honestly, airlines should start putting anonymous report buttons in the seatback apps at this point.
161
JG-for-breakfastApr 15, 2026
+685
Dude thought he was on a bus in India
685
Emotional-Writer-766Apr 15, 2026
+420
When r*** culture goes on holiday.
420
adario7Apr 16, 2026
+36
Fun fact: marital r*** is not criminalized in India. The Indian courts won't recognise the fact that a man can r*** his wife.
R*** is highly normalised in Indian society.
36
poopinmeeApr 15, 2026
+147
Bro thought he was still in India
147
SikanderSanamSexxerApr 15, 2026
+72
Not beating the allegations.
72
BedditTedditRedditApr 15, 2026
+26
I think you meant reputation, also
26
sowhat4Apr 16, 2026
+3
Sounds like they'd be better off going to the lav and 'beating their meat' instead of pestering women!
3
ikilledtupacApr 15, 2026
+105
You are all banned from r/india
(╯°□°)╯︵ ┻━┻
105
ConanTheBarbarian_0Apr 15, 2026
+60
It's r/indiaspeaks that bans anyone that throws any criticism towards India and Hindus.
60
cybercop12345Apr 15, 2026
+38
I am banned from both 😎 one for criticizing hindus and other one for criticizing muslims
38
[deleted]Apr 15, 2026
+21
[removed]
21
blazerzApr 16, 2026
+2
What the f***?
2
aliceathomeApr 15, 2026
+27
Happened to me on a flight from New Delhi to London - didn't get as far as this did and it was 30 years ago so all they did was move me (and not even to a better seat). Thanks BA.
27
[deleted]Apr 16, 2026
+19
[removed]
19
Philly514Apr 15, 2026
+91
Dude, are Indian men okay?
91
2wcpApr 16, 2026
+2
[ Removed by Listnook ]
2
[deleted]Apr 15, 2026
+31
[removed]
31
[deleted]Apr 15, 2026
+39
[removed]
39
your_mileagemayvaryApr 15, 2026
+39
Based on the times involved, I'm guessing, she had a little help falling asleep ... Slept through the start and when she woke up dirt bag had is fingers in her ...
Too bad they landed in Australia and not Singapore. Singapore actually handles shit like this, as in let's take those fingers off for good
39
TheGreatProbeApr 15, 2026
+11
Up to 24 strokes of the cane baby!
11
NearbyPerspective397Apr 15, 2026
+19
R***. He was charged with r***.
19
slprysltryApr 16, 2026
+8
They're just using the words Australian law uses
8
FixerQuickApr 16, 2026
+8
Indian guy tried to r*** a woman on a flight out of Bozeman, MT not long ago. WTF...
[https://www.justice.gov/usao-mt/pr/new-jersey-man-sentenced-more-8-months-prison-sexual-assault-airplane](https://www.justice.gov/usao-mt/pr/new-jersey-man-sentenced-more-8-months-prison-sexual-assault-airplane)
8
[deleted]Apr 15, 2026
+41
[removed]
41
OutlulzApr 16, 2026
-1
[White man (google his mugshot from an archived article.](https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/woman-sues-american-airlines-claiming-was-sexually-assaulted-flight-ma-rcna204025)
[Italian man.](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cz0p35gl5m0o)
[White man.](https://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/national/article300062664.html?tbref=hp)
[White man.](https://www.justice.gov/usao-mt/pr/texas-man-admits-groping-minor-girl-airplane-flight-bozeman).
You should be asking why is it always men.
-1
DarkDuoApr 16, 2026
+25
I googled the first one and it’s all people from India, I wouldn’t consider that white
25
sowhat4Apr 16, 2026
+4
Yeah, that first one was clearly of South Asian descent and was an MD to boot. He can't even claim low-class morals or standards.
4
adario7Apr 16, 2026
+8
Fun fact: marital r*** is not criminalized in India. The Indian courts won't recognise the fact that a man can r*** his wife.
R*** is highly normalised in Indian society.
8
OneWorld87Apr 15, 2026
+67
How is it possible to have someone being raped on a plane?
67
MooKidsApr 15, 2026
+81
Sexual intercourse as defined by Australian law includes penetration using any part of the body, not necessarily with a p****. So a finger into a v***** or a*** would count.
https://www5.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/act/consol_act/ca190082/s50.html#aggravated_offence
81
ccs77Apr 15, 2026
+58
Honestly hate this flight out of Singapore. Always had to double check if Im heading to Australia
58
Odd_Ad_6635Apr 15, 2026
+19
can I ask why? I've never been to either country
19
[deleted]Apr 15, 2026
+15
[removed]
15
neeewyApr 15, 2026
+20
Because Australia relies on Indians for a huge amount of jobs, our government thinks it will save our economy, so every Singapore airline flight to and from Australia is majority Indian.
20
kip707Apr 15, 2026
+12
Welps they already got the UK and Canada. Australia’s naturally next. 🤷
12
Asteroidhawk594Apr 15, 2026
-2
Just saying, a dog whistle that’s loud enough anyone can hear…
-2
_ii_Apr 15, 2026
+13
Is this old news or another Indian SA story? The site just start playing videos and can’t be stopped. I’m not going to attempt to click that link again.
13
Asteroidhawk594Apr 15, 2026
+6
This was the other day
6
pk666Apr 15, 2026
+10
The man would be missing teeth if it had been me. Or if I had been near this. But I'm now of an age as a woman, where all my fucks for 'decorum' have long gone.
I am so sorry for women with less confidence and ability to stand up to such slimebsg predators.
10
SiongmauApr 15, 2026
+14
Ooo is that why Indian ppl likes to touch others without consent …
Saw one guy touched my daughter’s hair bun when-she walked ahead cause he thought it was funny. Would ve reacted if im in Sydney.
Im in vietnam at the moment … so yeah so many Indian tourist here with little to no manners
14
[deleted]Apr 15, 2026
+22
[removed]
22
[deleted]Apr 15, 2026
+2
[removed]
2
GeometeusApr 16, 2026
+5
Same country that worships women btw
5
adisarterinthemakingApr 16, 2026
+5
I was on a full train in Dubai, and an Indian guy grabbed my vulva. I elbowed him, and he was there playing innocence.
5
Pure_Fan_9028Apr 15, 2026
+2
[ Removed by Listnook ]
2
[deleted]Apr 15, 2026
+2
[ Removed by Listnook ]
2
winterweiss2902Apr 16, 2026
+2
My sister was harassed on a bus. A man tried to sit near her even though there were plenty seats. Luckily she could leave the bus when it stopped. Can’t imagine the horror when the lady had to face being in the plane with that perpetrator for so long. This is sick.
2
ThatsAllFolksAgainApr 15, 2026
+4
If he was a white American, I guess he’d have a cabinet secretary job. LOL
4
elwyn5150Apr 16, 2026
+3
Planes should have CCTV.
People are okay with buses having CCTV so we should be able to handle it.
121 Comments