A DMK councillor from Tiruvallur municipality was arrested along with his associate for allegedly sexually harassing an IndiGo air hostess on a Chennai–Delhi flight, police said.
The accused have been identified as Prabhakaran, Ward 6 councillor of Tiruvallur Municipality, and his friend Thiagu, an advocate who is also involved in the real estate business.
According to preliminary information, the incident occurred on February 25 when an IndiGo flight was preparing to depart from Chennai to Delhi. All passengers had boarded and were seated when the alleged misconduct took place.
In her complaint, the 25-year-old cabin crew member stated that the two men, reportedly under the influence of alcohol, addressed her inappropriately as she walked down the aisle performing her duties. They allegedly spoke to her disrespectfully, questioned her about her hometown, teased her and slapped her on the back of her thigh, amounting to sexual harassment.
விமான பணிப்பெண்ணிடம் அத்துமீறல் – திமுக கவுன்சிலர் கைது #ChennaiAirport #DMK #News18TamilNadu #TamilNews pic.twitter.com/WMQ7X13wLH
— News18 Tamil Nadu (@News18TamilNadu) March 3, 2026
The victim lodged a complaint the same day at the Meenambakkam All-Women Police Station. Police initially summoned the duo for inquiry on February 26, but after they failed to cooperate, a case was registered.
The two were later arrested at Chennai airport upon their return from Delhi. Police have booked them under sections relating to sexual harassment and outraging the modesty of a woman.
To the growing roll call of DMK functionaries – Gnanasekaran, Periyanayagam, Praveen, Ekambaram, Kannan, Kathiresan, Hariharan, Junaid, Kavidasan, Pakkirisamy, Kalliappan, Muthusamy, and many others, now joins another name: Prabhakaran.
Tiruvallur DMK councillor Prabhakaran has… pic.twitter.com/PXTANFyfzu
— K.Annamalai (@annamalai_k) March 3, 2026
The accused were produced before a court and remanded to judicial custody. Police said further custodial interrogation may be sought as the investigation continues.
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