'Taken To Men’s Washroom, Touched Inappropriately': Korean Woman Alleges Harassment By Air India Ground Staff

A South Korean woman has accused an airport ground staff member of sexually harassing her at Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) in Bengaluru.

The incident allegedly took place inside Terminal 2 while she was preparing to board a flight back to South Korea after visiting India on a tourist visa.

Harassment Alleged During 'Manual Frisking'

According to the police complaint, the 32-year-old businesswoman had already completed CISF frisking and immigration checks when the incident occurred around 10.45 am on Monday in the international departure area. A man reportedly approached her, identified himself as airport staff, checked her boarding pass, and told her there was an issue with her checked-in baggage.

Police said the accused claimed that rechecking the baggage would take time and instead asked the woman to accompany him for what he described as "manual frisking." Trusting his claim, the woman followed him.

The woman alleged that the man took her near the men's washroom and, under the pretext of frisking, touched her chest several times. She further claimed that he asked her to turn around and then touched her private parts. When she protested, the accused allegedly hugged her, thanked her, and asked her to leave.

Accused Arrested, CCTV Confirms Incident

The accused has been identified as Mohammed Affann Ahmed, a 25-year-old resident of Kammanahalli, who works as a ground staff member with Air India SATS. After the woman raised an alarm and filed a complaint, airport authorities detained him and informed the Kempegowda Airport police.

Airport officials clarified that the accused was not authorised to frisk passengers. They said any suspicion regarding baggage or security should have been reported to immigration officials or CISF personnel, and frisking of women passengers must only be conducted by authorised female staff.

Police said CCTV footage from the airport confirmed the woman's account. A case has been registered against the accused under Section 75 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for sexual harassment. He has been arrested and sent to judicial custody at Parappana Agrahara Central Jail. Further investigation is currently underway.