A US federal jury has convicted an Indian national of sexually assaulting a fellow passenger aboard a domestic flight, according to a press release from the U.S. Attorney&rsquo;s Office dated January 30, 2026.
The verdict stems from the August 29, 2024, incident on a flight from Rhode Island&rsquo;s TF Green International Airport to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. Prosecutors showed evidence that 38-year-old Varun Arora sexually groped a sleeping woman as the plane descended. Despite the victim&rsquo;s repeated efforts to push his hand away, Arora, allegedly wearing a sleep mask and pretending to sleep, continued the unwanted contact.
Arora, who is in the United States without lawful immigration status, was arrested in August 2025 after the FBI tracked him using a photo the victim took of him on the plane. A federal jury convicted him on charges of abusive sexual contact and assault. He now faces a potential prison term of up to two years, with sentencing scheduled for May 7, 2026, when the judge will consider federal guidelines and other legal factors.
The case was investigated by the FBI&rsquo;s Washington Field Office and prosecuted by attorneys from the U.S. Attorney&rsquo;s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia.

Indian national Varun Arora guilty of sexual assault on US flight

Indian National Convicted for In-Flight Assault

Indian national Varun Arora guilty of sexual assault on US flight

February 4, 2026 | 12:41 IST