BENGALURU: In a troubling incident that raises serious concerns about airport security, a 32-year-old South Korean businesswoman has accused a ground-handling staff member of sexually harassing her at Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) while misusing the pretext of a "manual frisking." This incident took place on Monday morning in the international departure area of Terminal 2 as the woman was preparing to return to South Korea.

According to the complaint filed with airport authorities, the woman had successfully completed the security checks conducted by the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and immigration. Around 10:45 AM, a man approached her, introduced himself as airport staff, and checked her boarding pass, claiming there was an issue with her checked-in baggage. He then suggested a "manual frisking," and, trusting him, she followed him near the men’s washroom. There, he allegedly touched her inappropriately under the guise of inspection. When she protested, he reportedly hugged her, thanked her, and told her to leave.

The accused has been identified as 25-year-old Mohammed Affann Ahmed, a resident of Kammanahalli, who works as ground staff with Air India SATS. After the woman raised an alarm and reported the incident, airport authorities promptly detained Ahmed and notified the Kempegowda Airport police. CCTV footage from the terminal corroborated the woman’s account, confirming that an unauthorized frisking had indeed taken place.

Airport police stated, “During ticket inspection, Affann Ahmed claimed that a beeping sound was coming from the woman’s bag and asked her to be checked separately. He took the woman to the men’s toilet, where he touched her inappropriately under the pretext of inspection.” A case has now been registered against Ahmed under Section 75 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), highlighting the seriousness of this violation.

Airport authorities reiterated that the accused did not have the authority to conduct passenger frisking and should have alerted CISF or authorized female staff in cases involving women. This incident has sparked outrage and demands for stricter enforcement of safety protocols, particularly concerning the protection of female travelers in airport environments.