73-Year-Old Man Jailed for Molesting Four Singapore Airlines Cabin Crew During 17-Hour Flight

By
Siti Hajar
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A 73-year-old Indian national was sentenced to nine months’ jail on 2 Apr 2025 after pleading guilty to molesting four Singapore Airlines cabin crew members during a flight from San Francisco to Singapore.

Balasubramanian Ramesh admitted to four counts of molestation, with another three counts taken into consideration for his sentencing.

The court heard that he targeted the victims because he found them “attractive.”

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Singapore Airlines Flight Molestation Incidents Occurred Over 14-Hour Period

The offences took place on 18 Nov 2024 over approximately 14 hours during the 17-hour flight.

According to court documents, the first incident occurred around 3:30am Singapore time when Balasubramanian stroked the buttocks of a 25-year-old air stewardess over her clothing as she pushed a meal cart past his seat.

Shocked by his actions, she quickly walked away.

About five minutes later, he molested a second victim, a 26-year-old stewardess, stroking her buttocks twice over her clothing as she bent over to serve food to a passenger seated across the aisle from him.

Court documents revealed that between 3:20am and 6am, Balasubramanian molested the second victim three more times, causing her to feel “extremely annoyed” and harassed.

At 9:30am, he placed his hand on the right upper thigh of a 31-year-old stewardess over her clothing while she was assisting a nearby passenger with the in-flight entertainment system.

She quickly backed away but continued to feel shocked and overwhelmed nine hours later.

The final incident took place around 5:30pm when Balasubramanian placed his hand on the left upper thigh of a 29-year-old stewardess over her clothing as she was helping a passenger adjust their seat for landing.

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Having been warned by colleagues to be cautious around him, she stepped back immediately upon feeling physical contact.

Police Arrest and Court Sentencing for Multiple In-Flight Molestation Charges

When the fourth victim confronted him, Balasubramanian denied touching her.

She and her male supervisor informed him that they were aware he had inappropriately touched several cabin crew members and that the matter would be reported to police.

After the flight landed at approximately 6:45pm, the victims’ supervisor filed a report at the SIA Control Centre, and the case was referred to the Airport Police Division.

Balasubramanian was arrested the same day and charged in court on 25 Nov 2024.

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During the sentencing on 2 Apr 2025, Deputy Public Prosecutor Ashley Chin sought a jail term of between 9.5 and 12.5 months, highlighting that Balasubramanian had “intentionally touched the buttocks and thighs” of four air stewardesses, and “repeatedly and brazenly molested the first victim on a total of four occasions.”

DPP Chin noted that the offences being carried out on board an aircraft and against air transportation workers were aggravating factors.

The identities of the victims, who were all on duty at the time of the incidents, cannot be named due to a gag order.

Defence lawyer Rezvana Fairouse sought a lighter sentence, pointing out that the offences did not involve skin-to-skin contact. The defence also mentioned that Balasubramanian had made “positive contributions” to society as a former bank manager in India.

District Judge Toh Han Li rejected the defence’s argument that the offences were committed in the “spur of the moment,” noting they occurred over a 14-hour period.

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For each count of molestation, an offender can be jailed for up to three years, fined, or caned, or receive any combination of such punishments. Balasubramanian cannot be caned as he is over 50 years old.

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Siti Hajar