Indian-origin Delta Pilot Arrested in Cockpit Minutes after Landing at San Francisco

San Francisco: In a dramatic mid-air enforcement action, a Delta Airlines co-pilot of Indian origin was arrested just 10 minutes after landing at San Francisco International Airport on serious child sex abuse charges.

Rustom Bhagwagar, 34, was taken into custody by agents from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Contra Costa County Sheriff's Department shortly after Delta Flight 2809, a Boeing 757-300, landed from Minneapolis. The arrest unfolded while passengers were still gathering their belongings to disembark, around 7:05 am IST.

Witnesses described a sudden surge of law enforcement agents storming the aircraft. “The officers and agents were pushing their way through the aisle into the cockpit with badges, guns, and vests marked with various agency names,” a passenger told the media. “They cuffed the co-pilot right there and led him away.”

At least 10 HSI agents were involved in the arrest. The pilot’s colleague in the cockpit said he had no prior knowledge of the impending arrest, as authorities kept him in the dark to avoid any risk of Bhagwagar being tipped off or attempting to flee.

The Contra Costa Sheriff's Office confirmed that a Ramey warrant — a type of arrest warrant issued without a formal charge — was obtained as part of the probe.

Delta Airlines has not yet issued a formal statement. Bhagwagar’s charges are expected to lead to a criminal trial. The incident has sent shockwaves through the aviation industry, highlighting the reach of law enforcement — even mid-flight.