Credited from: INDIATIMES
Rustom Bhagwagar, a 34-year-old co-pilot for Delta Airlines, was arrested on child sexual assault charges immediately after landing a flight from Minneapolis at San Francisco International Airport. Bhagwagar, who is of Indian origin and resides in Florida, faces serious allegations, including five counts of oral copulation with a child under 10 years of age, according to Newsweek and The Hill.
Following a dramatic on-board arrest involving around 10 law enforcement officers, Bhagwagar's apprehension shocked passengers who witnessed the incident as he was escorted out in handcuffs. The Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that the investigation into Bhagwagar had been active since April 2025, which culminated in his arrest at SFO during the flight's approach due to prior warnings about his activities, according to India Times and India Times.
The charges against Bhagwagar have since escalated from the initial five to a total of 24 felony counts, involving serious sexual offenses against minors. His bail has been set at $15 million, with legal proceedings expected to continue shortly. In a statement, Delta Airlines expressed their zero tolerance for unlawful conduct and confirmed Bhagwagar’s suspension pending the investigation, as reported by The Hill and India Times.