A man accused of sexually assaulting a woman on a flight to Australia has been denied bail after requesting to stay at an eight-bedroom Airbnb while awaiting trial.
Alleged incident on Scoot Airlines flight
Sudhir Kumar Chauhan, 52, appeared at Perth Magistrates Court earlier this month charged with one count of sexual intercourse without consent and three counts of indecent assault. The alleged incident occurred on Scoot Airlines flight TR16 from Singapore to Perth on April 13.
Chauhan, an Indian national, was travelling from Mumbai on a business trip with a colleague. According to prosecutors, he was seated in the aisle seat of a three-person row, with the alleged victim in the middle and another person by the window. All three were strangers.
The court heard that Chauhan believed the woman was asleep and concealed his actions with a blanket over his hand and her lap. The woman was awake throughout the alleged assault, which lasted more than 10 minutes. The conduct only stopped when a cabin crew member walked past or the woman indicated she was awake. Prosecutors said the offending would have otherwise continued.
Bail application rejected
Chauhan's lawyer proposed he be released on bail to stay at an Airbnb for three months, offering to surrender his passport, remain in the state, and observe an 8pm to 7am curfew. However, the prosecution opposed bail, noting that other guests could stay at the property simultaneously, raising concerns about further incidents given the nature of the alleged offending.
The magistrate refused bail, stating that the proposed residential arrangements were 'too uncertain and too obscure'. He described the allegations as 'incredibly serious' and deemed the Airbnb 'highly unsuitable' as a residence.
Chauhan was remanded into custody at Hakea Prison in Western Australia. He will next appear at Perth Magistrates Court on July 10 via video link.
