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Man who molested Dangal star Zaira Wasim on flight handed 3 year jail sentence

Man who molested Dangal star Zaira Wasim on flight handed 3 year jail sentence

He was convicted under child protection laws since the actress was 17 at the time of the incident.
16 Jan, 2020

A 41-year-old Indian businessman has been sentenced to three years in prison for molesting a former Bollywood actress on a flight in 2017. Vikas Sachdev, the accused, was caught repeatedly moving his foot up and down her neck and back while she was "half-asleep" in her seat.

He was convicted under child protection laws since the actress was 17 at the time of the incident.

While the actress cannot be named under Indian laws which prohibit identifying victims of sexual assault, in 2017, Amir Khan's Dangal co-star and a rising Bollywood actor who recently quit acting, Zaira Wasim, penned a revealing Instagram post where she documented the harassment she faced on a two-hour flight from Delhi to Mumbai.

Read: Zaira Wasim breaks down after facing harassment on flight

Wasim shared an image of a foot stretched out on her armrest. She described that while she was sleeping on the flight, she woke up to a foot rubbing against her back and neck.

The actor shared on her Instagram story that "one middle-aged man made my 2-hour journey miserable", before she dived into details of what ensued.

"It was all chill till I felt somebody brushing against my back while I was half asleep. I ignored it the first time. Blamed the turbulence for it. Until I woke up to this unpleasant sight of his beautiful foot rubbing my back and neck," she added.

The airline in question, Air Vastara, was quick to respond and shared on Twitter that they "are carrying out detailed investigation and will support Zaira in every way required. We have zero-tolerance for such behaviour."

Zaira had said that she blamed the turbulence at first but was later woken by his foot touching her neck. She shared a video of herself after the flight, in which she was visibly upset. "This is terrible," she said. "No one will help us if we don't decide to help ourselves."

She tried to film Sachdev, but it was too dark to see his face. Police arrested him after he was reportedly identified with help from the airline.

Comments

Changez Khan Jan 16, 2020 01:59pm
Sick and disgusted man.
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Mumtaz Shah Jan 16, 2020 02:25pm
disgusting, deserve this punishment
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Adil Jadoon Jan 16, 2020 02:47pm
These people should be publicly shamed and they are found everywhere. Poorly brought up and dishonorable.
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DesiDesi Jan 16, 2020 03:33pm
Justice is served. Keep on shinning Brave Girl, India is with You.
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Armagan Akram Jan 16, 2020 06:07pm
such people should be publicly humiliated.
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Dr Vikas Jamwal Jan 16, 2020 07:19pm
Welcome verdict.
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Zulfi Jan 16, 2020 07:38pm
How about publicly hanging a few of such jerks to send a message to the public in general?
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Bipul Jan 16, 2020 08:27pm
Rapists are hanged and molesters are jailed. That’s how India maintains law and order.
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Cincy mumbhai Jan 16, 2020 08:41pm
@DesiDesi .... 3 years is not enough for a sick and disgusting man like that. Hopefully his life gets destroyed from this point on and it serves as an example for others to see.
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Talha Jan 16, 2020 11:58pm
That is a very harsh punishment.
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Tariq Jan 17, 2020 04:02am
Salute to Zaira for her courage to expose him. You are a role model for other young girls who are not confident enough to react and tolerate it.
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Shail Jan 17, 2020 04:18am
Zaira is a very talented actress. It is shame that she is coerced to leave the cinema industry. I hope she will make a comeback.
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Zak Jan 17, 2020 06:34am
Ugly foot. He should have got 5 years.
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Shailesh Jan 17, 2020 07:25am
Only 3? He should have sent in for 10 more. Disgusting.
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Sanity 101 Jan 17, 2020 08:11am
only 3 years ? these animals should do 10 years atleast
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Pramod Pant Jan 17, 2020 10:49am
@Talha Nope. It’s a proper punishment. The male involved can’t be considered a humorous person . He’s a criminal and punished adequately.
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Babu Bombay Jan 17, 2020 06:10pm
He will be welcomed with open arms in jail.
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