CHIKKABALLAPUR: A disturbing incident of sexual harassment involving a foreign national has been reported at Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) in Bengaluru, raising serious concerns over passenger safety and misuse of authority by airport staff. A male airport employee has been arrested for allegedly sexually harassing a South Korean woman while she was preparing to board her return flight.
The accused has been identified as FD Affann Ahman, an employee of Air Sats, a ground handling service provider operating at Bengaluru airport. Following the complaint, airport police arrested the accused and produced him before a court, which remanded him to judicial custody.
According to police sources, the victim is a 36-year-old woman from South Korea who had travelled to India as a tourist. After completing her visit, she arrived at Kempegowda International Airport to board her return flight to South Korea. The incident reportedly occurred after she completed the mandatory security checks and was proceeding to the boarding area.
Police said the accused approached the woman under the pretext of conducting a baggage inspection. Claiming it was part of security procedures, he checked her luggage and then told her that she needed to undergo a personal inspection. Trusting the airport staff member, the woman followed him.
The accused allegedly took the woman into a men’s restroom inside the airport premises and attempted to touch and hug her inappropriately. Shocked and distressed by the act, the woman immediately resisted and managed to inform Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel stationed nearby.
CISF officials acted swiftly, detaining the accused on the spot and handing him over to the Kempegowda International Airport police. Based on the woman’s complaint, a case was registered under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code pertaining to sexual harassment and assault.
Police officials said the accused was originally assigned to assist passengers during boarding procedures. However, he allegedly misused his position and access within the airport to commit the offence. “This appears to be a clear case of abuse of official duty. The matter is being taken very seriously,” a senior police officer said.
Airport authorities have assured full cooperation with the investigation and stated that internal action will also be initiated against the accused employee. Officials reiterated that passenger safety, especially that of women and foreign travellers, remains a top priority.
