Ganesh Parkar Charged

A Mercer County, New Jersey, man has been charged with sexually abusing a woman on a flight from India to Newark Liberty International Airport. Ganesh Parkar, 40, of Windsor, New Jersey, appeared in federal court to face charges of abusive sexual contact on an airplane.

According to the complaint, the incident occurred on a December 21, 2016, Air India flight from Mumbai to Newark. Parkar allegedly moved from his ticketed seat in the business class section to the economy class section and sat next to a female passenger. When the woman fell asleep, Parkar placed his hand on her breast without her consent.

Parkar, who is an Indian citizen, had his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark Falk in Newark federal court. He was released on $50,000 unsecured bond, home detention with electronic monitoring, and surrender of his passport and all travel documents.

The abusive sexual contact charge carries a statutory maximum of up to two years in prison and a $250,000 fine. U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced the charges and credited special agents of the FBI, Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, and the Port Authority Police Department with the investigation leading to Parkar’s arrest.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jihee G. Suh of the U.S. Attorney’s Criminal Division in Newark. The case is ongoing, and Parkar’s next court appearance has not been scheduled.

The incident highlights the importance of passenger safety on flights and the need for airlines to take measures to prevent such incidents. The FBI and other law enforcement agencies take these types of cases seriously and will pursue charges against those who engage in abusive behavior on flights.

In a statement, U.S. Attorney Fishman said that the charges against Parkar demonstrate the commitment of law enforcement to protecting the public and holding those who commit crimes accountable. The case against Parkar is a reminder that abusive behavior will not be tolerated, and those who engage in such behavior will face the consequences.