New Delhi: The process has started to deport a 44-year-old Indian businessman from Switzerland for raping a 15-year-old fellow passenger on a flight from Mumbai to Zurich in March this year. The man allegedly told a Zurich court that he could not control himself.
According to officials, the man, who is married, was on his way to Belgium on business, when he committed the crime. The Daily Mail has reported that he committed the act on the 9-hour flight when the girl was asleep in the seat next to his.
The incident dates back to March 17, 2025. According to the court document, the teenager briefly conversed with the man before falling asleep. According to an indictment filed by the Zurich Public Prosecutor’s Office for Serious Violent Crime, the man put his arm around her and repeatedly touched her.
The girl reportedly went into ‘shock’ on waking up and realising what was taking place. She could neither speak nor resist. The man then went on with his abhorrent activities, violating her and putting his hands inside her clothes. Finally, as the girl’s mind cleared, she bravely reported the incident to a flight attendant, who immediately informed the pilots who alerted the Zurich airport. The girl was moved to a different seat, and the man was kept under observation. The accused was arrested after the flight touched down at Zurich.
During the trial, the man apparently admitted that he was aware that she was a minor, but not certain of her age. The man also confessed to the assault, and agreed that she did not give her consent. In his confession, the man said: “I couldn’t control myself”.
The court found him guilty of rape and sexual acts with a child. He was handed a one-and-a-half-year suspended sentence, but walked free as he has been in custody since March. Even the judge noted that the sentence is inadequate.
The man has been banned from Switzerland for 5 years and prohibited for life from taking part in any activity which involves minors. He was also ordered to pay £8,250 towards legal charges. He was then handed over to the Swiss Migration Office to be deported to India.
