AI pilot alleges senior asked, 'Don't you need sex everyday?'
Air India initiated a high-level inquiry on Wednesday after one of its pilots accused her colleague and commander of sexually harassing her. According to the pilot, her commander allegedly asked her intrusive questions about her sex life and later threatened her. The pilot says she has been left terrified after this experience. Here are more details about the incident.
The commander allegedly took her to dinner on training's pretext
According to a complaint submitted to Air India management by the pilot, the alleged incident took place on May 5, when both pilots, who are originally based out of Delhi, were in Hyderabad for training purpose. The pilot claims that her commander called her to his room on the pretext of giving her notes on training, and then took her out to dinner.
Her ordeal started at the restaurant
In her complaint, she stated, "We went to (a) restaurant around 8 pm and this is where my ordeal started. He started with telling me how depressed and unhappy he was in his married life." "He also asked me how I coped with my husband living away and whether I didn't need to have sex every day. He asked me if I masturbated, etc."
The commander allegedly told her he was giving her 'options'
The pilot claims she called a cab, but the horror didn't end. A portion of her complaint, excerpted in India Today, states, "In the half hour wait for the cab his behavior worsened." Later, the commander allegedly kept calling her to his room, and threatened to show up at hers when she refused. She claims the commander said he was providing her with 'options'.
The pilot felt 'morally obligated' to report the incident
The pilot claims she's been left shocked, humiliated and scared and is disturbed by her commander's behavior. Despite her fears, she said she felt "morally obligated" to report the matter to ensure that such an incident does not reoccur. Addressing the incident, an Air India spokesperson said, "As soon as the matter came to our notice, we immediately set up a high-level inquiry."
