Indian-origin pilot arrested in US on charges of sex crimes against child
Rustom Bhagwagar, 34, a Delta airline pilot, was arrested on the evening of July 26, the Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff Investigation Division said in a statement on Monday.
At about 9:35 PM on Saturday, authorities, with the assistance of Homeland Security Investigations, boarded the plane to arrest him, it said.The County Office said it had been investigating since April 2025 after receiving a report of sex crimes against a child, and an arrest warrant was later secured for Bhagwagar. Bhagwagar, of Florida, was booked into the Martinez Detention Facility on five counts of oral copulation with a child under 10 years of age. He is being held in lieu of $5 million bail, the statement said.
A report in KTVU.com said that passengers reported seeing multiple federal agents push into the cockpit Saturday and arrest Bhagwagar shortly after the plane landed in San Francisco.KTVU quoted a statement by Delta to say that the pilot has been suspended from the airline pending the investigation."Delta has zero tolerance for unlawful conduct and will fully cooperate with law enforcement," the Delta spokesperson said, according to the report. "We are appalled by reports of the charges related to the arrest and the individual in question has been suspended pending an investigation." The KTVU report said that a female has alleged that while Bhagwagar was dating her mother, he "sexually abused her from the ages of six until eleven years old."
The girl alleges her mother knew about the abuse because she was present for some of the sexual acts.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Farmer crossed over to Pak by mistake, jailed
. BATHINDA: Punjab farmer Amritpal Singh , 23, who had inadvertently crossed into Pakistani territory from his fields on Zero Line, has been sentenced to a month's imprisonment each under two offences and fined Rs 50,000 for each offence by a court in Chunian, Pakistan, reports Neel Kamal. Non-payment of fines will keep him in Pakistan prison for 15 days more on each count. Both sentences will run concurrently. Amritpal is lodged in Kasur district jail. The court also wrote to Pakistan ministry of interior to arrange for his deportation to India after completion of sentence. His father Jagraj Singh told TOI that he has got Pakistan court's conviction papers and letter to the interior ministry to deport him. "I am writing to Indian authorities to ensure that Amritpal is deported upon completion of his sentence." Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Friendship Day wishes , messages and quotes !
Hans India
an hour ago
- Hans India
Lives at Risk in Bingidoddi: Residents Demand Action Over Dangling Power Lines and Official Negligence
Gadwal: Residents of Ward No. 12 in Bingidoddi village, Aija Mandal, Jogulamba Gadwal district, are living under a life-threatening situation due to the absence of proper electricity poles, resulting in dangerous electric wires hanging directly over residential homes. Locals, along with BJP Mandal President Gopalakrishna, raised serious concerns and demanded immediate intervention from the authorities. 'It has been over 25 years since this colony came into existence with over 200 houses, yet not a single concrete road or electricity pole has been installed,' said Gopalakrishna while addressing the villagers. Due to the lack of official infrastructure, residents are reportedly using wooden poles as makeshift electricity supports, a practice that has already led to shocks and close calls. In a recent incident, a homeowner had to personally replace a wire support after experiencing a shock from a low-hanging live wire. The colony, locals say, is completely neglected while sarpanches and officials have ensured road construction only around their own houses. In contrast, this area lacks even basic amenities like CC roads, proper drainage, or soil roads. 'If something happens to any of these families, who will take responsibility?' Gopalakrishna questioned. 'Despite informing the Assistant Engineer (AE) of the electricity department, no action has been taken so far.' He warned that if the situation is not rectified, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will organize a massive protest and dharna in the coming weeks. The event saw the participation of other community leaders like Anjaneyulu, Narasimhulu, and a large number of concerned villagers. What the Law Says: Legal Consequences for Government Negligence Endangering Public Life Legal experts have highlighted that negligence by government officials—especially when it threatens public safety—can lead to serious criminal and civil liabilities under Indian law, including the new Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, which replaced the Indian Penal Code (IPC) in July 2024. Criminal Provisions: Section 106(1) BNS (formerly IPC 304A): If negligence causes death, the official may face up to 5 years of imprisonment, fine, or both. Section 123 BNS (formerly IPC 336-338): Any act endangering life or causing harm due to carelessness can result in 2 years' imprisonment or fine. Section 108 BNS (formerly IPC 166): If a public servant intentionally disobeys the law, they can be punished with up to 1 year imprisonment, fine, or both. Civil and Administrative Action: Negligent officers can also face: Departmental inquiries, suspension, or dismissal Loss of pension or seniority Civil lawsuits for damages Public Interest Litigations (PILs) filed by affected citizens or NGOs 'If a life is lost or seriously harmed due to an official's inaction, they could face both criminal prosecution and departmental removal,' said a senior retired IAS officer on condition of anonymity. What Citizens Can Do: Residents of Bingidoddi and similar villages can: File a formal complaint to the District Collector or Electricity Department Submit an RTI to trace accountability Approach the State Human Rights Commission or Lokayukta File a PIL in the High Court if officials continue to ignore their duty. Public Voice Growing Louder With the state government, led by the Congress party, promising people-centric development, locals expressed disappointment that these promises remain "only in words". The incident in Bingidoddi serves as a grim reminder of the gap between policy and implementation. As the public pressure mounts and legal frameworks back citizens' rights, authorities are now under intense scrutiny to take immediate corrective measures before a preventable tragedy occurs.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Pahalgam attacker's funeral in POK confirms Pak hand in strike
Site in Pahalgam where militants opened fire on tourists. (File photo) NEW DELHI: The 'Janaza-Ghaib (funeral in absentia)' of Tahir Habib, one of the Pahalgam terrorists killed in Operation Mahadev in J&K, has been performed in his village in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir - a second confirmation that Pakistan was involved in the April 22 incident in which 26 civilians were killed. Videos and pictures posted on Telegram channels show the elderly of Khai Gala in Rawalkote gathering for the final prayers for the former Pakistan Army soldier and Lashkar-e-Taiba operative. But the funeral took an unexpected turn when local LeT commander Rizwan Hanif tried to be part of it. Tahir's family explicitly barred LeT members from attending the funeral but Hanif insisted, leading to a confrontation. Tahir's association with LeT and his role in the Pahalgam attack had made him a wanted category 'A' terrorist. His killing during Operation Mahadev in Srinagar last week along with two others was a major breakthrough for Indian security forces. During the funeral, a source said, "Lashkar operatives threatened mourners with a gun, sparking outrage among villagers. The residents of Khai Gala, who have long been wary of radicalisation, are now planning a public boycott to oppose terror recruitment." This development is significant as it not only highlights the growing resistance among POK residents against Pakistan's state-sponsored terror machine but also confirms that the impact of Operation Sindoor - conducted as a response to the Pahalgam attack - is being felt across the border. "A Lashkar commander facing public backlash and being forced to flee is a testament to the changing dynamics in the region," the source added. Tahir's past includes his association with the Islami Jamiat Talaba (IJT) and the Student Liberation Front (SLF) before joining the Pakistan army. The Sadozai Pathan community, to which Tahir belonged, has a rich history of resistance, having migrated from Afghanistan in the 18th century and playing a key role in the Poonch Rebellion. This also led to Tahir getting the alias of 'Afghani' with which he was known in intelligence records.
