Indian-American doctor allegedly performs lewd act next to minor on flight, arrested

economictimes.indiatimes.com:

A 33-year-old doctor of Indian-American origin has been arrested in the United States for allegedly exposing himself and performing a lewd act next to a teenage girl onboard a flight. The incident reportedly occurred aboard a flight from Honolulu to Boston in May last year. Dr.

Sudipta Mohanty, the accused, was taken into custody on Thursday and charged through a criminal complaint with a single count of committing lewd, indecent, and obscene acts while within the special jurisdiction of U.S. aircraft. Mohanty, an internal medicine and primary care doctor, was released on conditions following an initial appearance in federal court in Boston.

As per the teenager's complaint, the incident happened in a Hawaiian Airlines Flight journey from Honolulu to Boston on May 27, 2022. Mohanty was reportedly a passenger on the flight, accompanied by a female associate. Seated beside a 14-year-old minor who was traveling with her grandparents in proximity, Mohanty is said to have engaged in inappropriate behavior.

According to a statement from the U.S. Attorney's Office, «Approximately midway through the flight, the minor allegedly noticed that Mohanty had concealed himself with a blanket up to his neck, and that his leg was exhibiting repetitive movements.» The statement continues, «Shortly thereafter, the minor realized that the blanket had fallen to the floor, leaving Mohanty exposed while he was masturbating. The minor relocated herself to an unoccupied seat in a different row for the remainder of the flight.» Following the flight's arrival in Boston, the minor communicated the incident to her family members, prompting notification to law enforcement authorities.