NCW sets up committee to inquire in air hostess molestation

The National Commission for Women (NCW) constituted an inquiry committee, headed by Wansuk Syiem, to probe the complaint of an Air India hostess of alleged molestation by its pilots.



NCW Chairperson Girija Vyas said, ‘We have set up a high-level committee comprising social workers and experts. It will have two fora. The first will investigate the matter while the other will suggest guidelines regarding dignity, protection and treatment to a woman at workplace.’ The committee, consisting of former district Judge Jagan Nath, Kunwar Jeet Singh, Dr Manorama Bawa and Mohinder Singh Malik, will submit its report in one month.



Reacting to the suspension of two Air India pilots, Ms Vyas said, ‘We are happy with the prompt action that Air India has taken. We will also send the report to the Government of India and Air India.’ Meanwhile, Delhi Commissioner of Police Y S Dadwal informed that investigation has been going on in the case. ‘We have asked the Air India for the list of people who were traveling in the flight that day with their seat numbers so that those sitting near the cockpit could be interrogated,’ he said during the fortnightly press conference here.



The statement of the air hostess has been recorded, he said adding that however, the pilots have not been questioned till now because of their non-availability.



The air hostess had already made a complaint to the police of alleged molestation and harassment by the pilots after landing and sought an inquiry by the NCW yesterday. The medical examination of the air hostess, had also confirmed assault.



The scuffle had taken place on Saturday between the pilots and female cabin crew inside the cockpit of the airline when it was on its way from Sharjah to Lucknow.