Co-pilot accused of raping air-hostess sent to police custody

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Mumbai: A local court on Sunday remanded a co-pilot with private air carrier Jet Airway, arrested for allegedly raping an air-hostess on several occasions since May 2009 on the pretext of marrying her, to police custody till June 5.

Varun Agarwal (27) was arrested on Saturday from the suburban domestic airport here for raping a 22-year-old air hostess, who was in a live-in relationship with him.

Varun, who has been booked for rape, cheating, causing hurt and criminal intimidation, was produced before the Andheri metropolitan magistrate.

The police sought his custody on the grounds that investigation is on and the medical reports of both the accused and the victim are awaited.

According to the police, the accused, who joined Jet Airways in 2006, started luring the victim since 2008, a year after she joined the air carrier as an air-hostess.

Varun had proposed marriage to the victim, who rejected several times. However, in 2008, she relented and agreed to his proposal, police said.

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"He took her to a temple and presented her a ring and convinced her to stay at his house in suburban Marol," assistant inspector Asha Korke said.

The victim agreed and moved into his house in May 2009. However, after a few months, Varun allegedly started assaulting her and threatened to throw acid on her face if she left him.

"Varun kept stalling the marriage following which the victim approached the police and lodged a complaint," Korke said.