A South Korean national was allegedly sexually harassed by a ground staff member at Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru. The incident reportedly took place during a security-related check, which was later confirmed by police officials on Thursday.
The incident occurred on January 19 at Terminal 2 while the woman was completing immigration formalities before boarding her flight to South Korea. She was reportedly approached during this process by airport ground staff.
Police identified the accused as Mohammed Affan Ahamed, aged 25. He was working as a contractual employee for a private airline operating at the airport at the time of the incident.
According to the police complaint, the staff member told the woman that her baggage had triggered a beeping sound. He allegedly asked her to accompany him to a secluded area near the men’s washroom for further checking.
The accused then claimed to conduct a manual frisk. During this process, he allegedly touched the woman inappropriately several times and hugged her without consent, causing her severe distress.
When the woman resisted and objected strongly, the accused reportedly said “thank you” and fled the area. The victim, visibly shaken, immediately alerted airport security officials about the incident.
Airport authorities detained the staff member soon after. Based on the woman’s complaint, police arrested the accused and registered a case under relevant sections of the law.
Officials stated that further investigation is underway to check for procedural lapses and to determine whether similar incidents had occurred earlier. The case has raised serious concerns about passenger safety and misuse of authority at airports.
Bengaluru | KIAL Airport police says, “An incident of sexual harassment of a South Korean woman under the pretext of inspection has been reported at the Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru. An airport staffer named Affaann Ahmed has been arrested for sexually harassing a…
— ANI (@ANI) January 22, 2026
