Sexual harassment on flight: Kerala minister accused

According to him, the man grabbed his wife from behind once the cabin lights were switched off for take off. The lady raised an alarm and told the cabin crew who rushed to her. Other passengers, mostly belonging to Kerala, identified the culprit .

The pilot was alerted and the woman was asked to write down a complaint addressed to the airline. She wrote what had happened but did not mention the culprit by name, the victim’s husband said.

According to him, the Kochi airport authorities called him up on August 19 to say the chief minister’s office had informed them about the complaint involving the minister— though he said he had no idea how the chief minister’s office got to know since his wife had complained only to the airline, and did not want the incident to turn into a “political issue.”

The passenger list of the airline confirms that the minister alleged to be involved —P J Joseph, who is in charge of public works — was indeed on the flight, but while sources with the airline confirm the incident, they say the victim doesn’t seem to have handed them a complaint.

The Youth Congress today began a campaign seeking the minister’s removal, and staged a protest march to the Secretariat. Its state president A P Anil Kumar said his outfit would not rest till the government took action.

Achuthanandan, however, maintained that he would look into the matter only if a proper complaint was submitted to the government. Sources close to the minister, meanwhile, allege that this was an attempt by his political rivals to frame him.