Indian Hairstylist Arrested in US for Cruise Ship Molestation

Indian hairstylist arrested in the US on charges of molestation on a cruise ship.

An Indian hairstylist has been charged with two counts of abusive sexual contact on a cruise ship when the ship was docked in Seattle. 26-year-old Pranit Narayan Pawar was employed on the ship as a hairstylist. He was arrested last week when a complaint alleged that Pawar sexually molested multiple passengers under the pretense of giving them a massage. The incident took place on the Brilliant Lady cruise ship, operated by Virgin Voyages. It is one of the newest ships of the company that began her inaugural tour in 2025, launching from NYC to explore New England, Canada and the Caribbean. According to the criminal complaint, Pawar was hired to provide hair care services, but during a recent cruise to Alaska, he began offering massages to women who booked hair appointments. In one incident, he allegedly offered a free massage to a victim if she agreed to book three appointments with the salon. In the two cases charged in the complaint, Pawar allegedly moved the victims into a small room next to the salon, and while offering a massage, Pawar allegedly moved his hands under the victims’ shirts and onto their breasts. In at least one instance, Pawar allegedly locked the door before assaulting the victim. The case is being prosecuted in federal court because the crimes occurred within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States. The FBI is tasked with investigating physical and sexual assaults within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction. FBI is investigating the case and the prosecution is being done by Assistant United States Attorney Sean H Waite. Brilliant Lady departed Seattle on June 23 on a nine-night Alaska voyage and the offences occurred on or around June 26 when the ship was sailing in waters that come under US maritime jurisdiction. The FBI arrested Pawar after Brilliant Lady returned to Seattle on July 2 and Pawar's first court appearance was on Monday in Tacoma. During interrogation with FBI agents, Pawar reportedly admitted that providing massages was not part of his duties and acknowledged that neither the salon nor the onboard barbershop offers massage treatments. According to investigators, Pawar also admitted taking between four and five women into the barbershop to provide massages, leading authorities to suggest additional charges could follow as the investigation progresses.