- Sudhir Chauhan was escorted from the plane by police
- It’s alleged he assaulted the stranger after believing she was asleep
A man accused of sexually assaulting a woman while on a flight to Australia remains behind bars after he sensationally asked a judge to release him on bail to an Airbnb frequented by tourists.
Sudhir Kumar Chauhan, 52, appeared before Perth Magistrates Court on Friday after he was charged with one count of sexual intercourse without consent and three counts of indecent assault.
The alleged assault occurred on April 13 on Scoot Airlines flight TR16 from Singapore to Perth, on which Chauhan was travelling for a short business trip from Mumbai.
Prosecutors told the court that the Indian national was in the aisle seat of a three-person row, with the alleged victim in the middle seat and another person in the window seat, The West Australian reports.
All three parties were unknown to each other.
The court was told Chauhan concealed his alleged offending by placing a blanket over his hand and the woman’s lap, who he believed to be asleep.
The alleged offending is believed to have lasted for over 10 minutes while the woman was awake.
The court was told Chauhan’s alleged conduct only stopped when a member of the cabin crew walked past the pair or when the woman made it clear that she was awake.
Sudhir Chauhan was on a short business trip with a colleague when the alleged offending occurred on Scoot Airlines flight TR16 from Singapore to Perth
The court was told Chauhan was in the aisle seat of a row, with the alleged victim in the middle
The Indian national remains behind bars at Hakea Prison after he was denied bail
If not for that, the prosecution said the alleged offending would have continued.
While applying for bail on Friday, Chauhan’s lawyer told the magistrate he’d secured a three-month lease on an Airbnb where his client could stay throughout court proceedings.
The property, which has eight bedrooms, is also open to other members of the public to rent and includes shared areas.
Chauhan’s lawyer also proposed a daily curfew of 8pm to 7am, alongside surrendering his passport and not leaving WA.
However, the magistrate found it was ‘highly unsuitable’ and refused Chauhan’s bail on the basis that ‘the proposed residential arrangements are too uncertain and too obscure’.
Chauhan was remanded into custody and remains behind bars at Hakea Prison, south of Perth.
He will next appear before Perth Magistrates Court on July 10 via video link.
