BJP leader arrested for alleged molestation on flight

Gujarat BJP general secretary K C Patel assured action against Makwana. "Party has taken cognizance of the issue and we will take action against him," Mr said.

A local BJP leader in Gujarat was arrested for allegedly molesting a 13 year old girl on board a Goa Ahmedabad flight of IndiGo airlines on May 29th. The accused is Gandhinagar-based Ashok Makwana, a local BJP leader and labour contractor.

The FIR lodged by the victim's parents on Sunday said a male passenger sitting next to the girl sexually harassed her during the journey.

“The girl was not accompanied by anyone during the journey. During the flight, the accused tried to touch her indecently. After she reached home, she narrated the incident to her parents, who filed the FIR with the police," said Police Inspector VR Patel.

"The compliant was against an unidentified passenger. We obtained the list of passengers and checked who was sitting in the same row and Mr Makwana was identified as an accused," the police official added.

Mr. Makwana has been booked under section 354-A of IPC (sexual harassment) and sections 11 and 12 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

Meanwhile, after his arrest, the Gujarat BJP general secretary K C Patel assured action against Makwana. “Party has taken cognizance of the issue and we will take action against him,” Mr said.