A cruise ship hairstylist is facing federal charges after allegedly sexually assaulting multiple female passengers within a barbershop during their appointments. Pranit Pawar, a 26-year-old Indian citizen employed aboard the Virgin Voyages ship Brilliant Lady, is accused of luring passengers into a secluded barbershop to carry out the alleged assaults.
According to a federal complaint, Pawar confessed to taking four to five women into the barbershop for "massages." The complaint details two alleged incidents on June 26. In the first, Pawar allegedly offered a passenger, identified as V1, a massage before escorting her to the barbershop. Investigators claim he then moved his hands under her shirt and fondled her for approximately 10 minutes.
Later that same day, Pawar allegedly targeted a second passenger, V2, whom he had previously offered a "complimentary massage" for booking future hair appointments. The complaint states that Pawar, under the pretext of focusing on "underarm pressure points," allegedly slid his hands under her bra to grope her. When he offered to continue the massage to her other breast, the victim reportedly refused and left the room. The following day, Pawar allegedly inquired about the victim's relationship status.
Investigators reported that Pawar locked the door during at least one of the alleged incidents on June 26. He was arrested by the FBI upon the ship's return to Seattle. Pawar reportedly told agents that the massages were for "therapeutic reasons" but later admitted to the unwanted contact and stated he "totally regrets his actions."
Pawar has been charged with two counts of abusive sexual contact aboard a cruise ship, a charge that carries a maximum sentence of two years in prison. The case is being handled in federal court due to the assaults occurring within special maritime territorial jurisdiction.
In a statement, Virgin Voyages described the allegations as a "profound violation of the trust and standards" expected of its crew.