A Swiss court has sentenced a 44-year-old Indian businessman to an 18-month suspended sentence and a five-year ban from Switzerland after he was convicted of raping a 15-year-old girl on an international flight. The verdict, delivered by the Bülach District Court, has drawn criticism from legal experts and child protection advocates who argue the punishment is too lenient.
The incident occurred in March on a Swiss International Air Lines flight from Mumbai to Zurich. According to court proceedings, the man, seated next to the teenager, engaged in conversation with her before she fell asleep under a blanket. He then sexually assaulted her with his hands and genitals. The girl was awakened but, according to the account, was too shocked and frightened to physically or verbally react.
After the assault, the girl alerted a crew member. Swissair staff immediately relocated her and provided care, while a crew member was assigned to monitor the businessman for the remainder of the nine-hour flight. Upon landing at Zurich Airport, the man was arrested. He initially denied the allegations but later confessed, stating he “realized he had made a mistake” and “could not resist.” He acknowledged that the girl had not consented and that he was aware of her young age.
During his trial, the businessman pleaded guilty to rape and sexual acts with a minor. The court applied Switzerland’s new criminal code on sexual offenses, issuing a conditional sentence. As he had already served several months in prison, he will not have to serve additional time. In addition to the suspended sentence and travel ban, he is permanently barred from any activities that involve regular contact with minors and must pay court costs. Following the verdict, the man was released and handed over to Swiss immigration authorities for deportation.
While the judge described the sentence as “entirely appropriate,” critics argue that the punishment is inadequate given the nature of the crime.