Who Is Rustom Bhagwagar? Indian-Origin Delta Pilot Arrested From Cockpit After Landing At San Francisco Airport On Child Sex Abuse Charges

Martinez: An Indian-origin pilot of Delta Airlines was arrested at San Francisco International Airport. The 34-year-old pilot, Rustom Bhagwagar, was reportedly arrested from the aircraft immediately after landing at the airport in connection with alleged sex crimes against a child on Saturday night (local time).

The Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office issued a statement in this regard. According to the US Department of Homeland Security, the 34-year-old pilot faces multiple child sex abuse charges. There were reportedly five counts of oral copulation with a child under 10.

Since April this year, the police have been working on the case. On April 26 at around 9:35 PM, detectives from the Sheriff's Office boarded the Delta Flight 2809, travelling from Minneapolis.

Who Is Rustom Bhagwagar?

Bhagwagar is a co-pilot for Delta Airlines. He was arrested at the San Francisco Airport on child sexual assault charges. Though the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office had been investigating the entire matter since April, the details surfaced on Monday, July 28.

The Department of Homeland Security clarified that the formal charges relate to direct acts of abuse, reported The Mint. As soon as the flight landed at the airport, officials from different law enforcement agencies boarded the plane and reportedly went directly into the cockpit and handcuffed Bhagwagar.

A video of Bhagwagar's arrest also surfaced online.

The officials were also carrying guns with them, eyewitnesses told the media., At least 10 law enforcement personnel were involved in the pilot's arrest, reported the media house. Delta Airlines has suspended the pilot after his arrest.

Bhagwagar is currently being held at a detention facility in Martinez, California.

Published on: Tuesday, July 29, 2025, 02:57 PM IST