A man accused of sexually assaulting a woman during a flight to Australia requested to be granted bail to reside at an eight-bedroom Airbnb property. However, the magistrate deemed the Airbnb accommodation as highly unsuitable, leading the man to remain in custody at Hakea Prison in Western Australia.
Sudhir Kumar Chauhan, aged 52, appeared in Perth Magistrates Court and faced charges of sexual intercourse without consent and indecent assault following an incident on a Scoot Airlines flight TR16 from Singapore to Perth on April 13. Chauhan, an Indian national on a business trip from Mumbai, was seated in an aisle seat next to the alleged victim, with another passenger by the window seat.
During the flight, Chauhan allegedly touched the woman inappropriately while she was awake, attempting to conceal his actions with a blanket. The prosecution stated that the behavior ceased only when the victim indicated she was awake or when a cabin crew member passed by.
Chauhan’s defense proposed bail terms that included surrendering his passport, staying within the state, and observing a curfew. However, the prosecution opposed bail, highlighting the risk of further incidents if Chauhan were to reside at the Airbnb with other individuals concurrently.
The magistrate denied bail, citing the uncertainty and unsuitability of the proposed residential arrangements. Chauhan was remanded into custody and is scheduled to appear at Perth Magistrates Court via video link on July 10.
