Bengaluru Sessions Court Grants Conditional Anticipatory Bail to Pilot in Rape Case
A sessions court in Bengaluru granted conditional anticipatory bail on Friday to a 60-year-old private jet pilot. The pilot faces accusations of rape from a flight attendant during a layover in the city in November 2025.
Details of the Alleged Incident
According to the 26-year-old survivor, the incident occurred at a five-star hotel in Bengaluru on November 19, 2025. The pilot and the flight attendant arrived in Bengaluru from Hyderabad on a private jet around 5 PM that day. They checked into a hotel on MG Road.
After checking in, the two visited several cafes and restaurants. They returned to the hotel after having drinks. The alleged rape took place later in the pilot's room when they went there to smoke. The flight attendant reported the matter to her organization afterward.
Legal Proceedings and Police Investigation
The woman initially filed a complaint with the Begumpet police in Hyderabad. Authorities registered a Zero First Information Report there. Police transferred the case to the East Bengaluru police since the incident occurred within their jurisdiction.
Officers booked the pilot under section 64 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for rape. During the investigation, the pilot claimed the incident was consensual. The survivor denied this claim. Police sources stated that officers are trying to reconstruct the crime sequence using CCTV footage from various locations.
Court's Decision on Bail
The sessions court allowed the anticipatory bail petition with conditions. The court's order stated, "The anticipatory bail petition filed by the petitioner...allowed with conditions." This decision came after the pilot sought protection from arrest in the case.
The case highlights ongoing legal processes in sensitive criminal matters. It involves cross-jurisdictional elements between Hyderabad and Bengaluru. The court's conditional bail aims to balance the rights of the accused with the needs of the investigation.
