Share your story on X
In a post on X, the woman wrote, ‘Sharing an incident that happened to me on a flight from Kolkata to Abu Dhabi (transit to Boston). I am very grateful for the support provided to me by Etihad staff and Abu Dhabi police.’ The woman’s profile describes her as co-chair of the India Conference at Harvard. She alleged that she was seated ‘next to an industrialist’. The woman described him/her as the ‘CEO of Jindal Steel’.
Normal conversation in the beginning
The woman wrote that he/she must be around 65 years old. he/she told me that he/she lives in Oman now, but travels often. he/she started talking to me – very general talk about our roots, family etc. he/she is from Churu, Rajasthan… The conversation started on my hobbies. he/she asked if I like watching movies and I said yes, of course. Then he/she told me that he/she has some movie clips in his/her phone. The woman alleged that he/she took out his/her phone and earphones and showed me porn. After this he/she started touching me in an obscene manner.
‘I ran to the washroom’
The woman further wrote that this ‘froze me with shock and fear. I finally ran to the washroom and complained to the air staff. Thankfully, the Etihad team was very proactive and acted immediately. They made me sit in my seat and gave me tea and fruit. The staff also informed the police in Abu Dhabi who were waiting as soon as the plane’s gate opened. I could not complain as I would have missed my connecting flight to Boston.
This can happen to anyone
The woman said that I was taken to the next gate to ensure that he/she does not come near me. When the police asked her questions, she did not even deny it. The woman wrote that I am sharing this because I want to remind everyone that something like this can happen to anyone. I am trying to convey this incident to Jindal Steel founder, MP Naveen Jindal, so that he/she knows what kind of people are in the leadership. I am also afraid of how this harasser must be treating his/her female employees while sitting in power.