He is a “predator and has sexually propositioned me, abused me, used abusive language on other women in my presence”, says the woman, a single mother who has worked with Air India for 33 years.
New Delhi: An Air India air hostess has written to civil aviation minister Suresh Prabhu, complaining of sexual harassment by a senior executive of the airline.
She has also alleged that the management refused to hear her complaint and was callous about it.
The woman, a single mother, said in her complaint dated 25 May that the senior executive was a “predator” and often spoke to her about sexual acts, making her uncomfortable.
ThePrint has accessed a copy of the letter, which was also marked to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and MoS civil aviation Jayant Sinha.
Responding to her complaint, civil aviation minister Suresh Prabhu tweeted, “Asked Air India CMD to immediately address the issue. If necessary, will appoint another committee.”
She alleged that the official often compelled other women to go out for a drink with him and denied position of privileges in the organisation to the ones who rejected his advances.
The complainant, who says she has worked for Air India for 33 years, said that she had taken the matter to higher authorities in the company but they refused to hear her, following which she wrote to the minister.
According to her letter, the ministry initially ensured that Air India women’s sexual harassment committee heard her case, but no action was taken.
Air India refused to comment on the matter. “We are not issuing any statement on this matter for now,” Air India spokesperson Praveen Bhatnagar told ThePrint.
Executive accused of making advances
“I am an air hostess and a proud single mother working for Air India. A senior executive over the last six years has harassed, tortured and discriminated against me,” she wrote.
“He is a predator and has sexually propositioned me, abused me, used abusive language…spoken of sexual acts with me and other women in my presence in the office premises,” the complaint read.
‘Authorities took no action’
In the letter, she said that she complained to the company last September and waited for its response. She even wrote to the then chairman and managing director of Air India but no one took any action, she claimed.
“Nothing is further from the truth, a woman has only self-respect, dignity and personal pride and as a single mother it took great courage, strength and effort to file this complaint,” she wrote.
She said that despite Air India women’s sexual harassment committee hearing her case, nothing was done. “There are other women who have been subjected to this treatment but they are too scared to come forward,” she wrote.
Her plea
“My faith in the system has been shaken. A woman who complains of sexual harassment and intimidation by a senior executive does not get any protection in law,” she said.
She requested the civil aviation minister as well as the Prime Minister to do justice to her complaint. “I request you to please look into the matter and appoint a neutral investigation committee,” she said.