In a bizarre turn of events at Kempegowda International Airport (KIA), a 52‑year‑old British national was arrested after handing his boarding pass to a Sri Lankan passenger in a men’s restroom, a move that has sparked a fresh wave of scrutiny over boarding pass fraud Bengaluru airport. The incident, which unfolded on January 18, has led to the detention of both men and a renewed focus on airport security protocols.
Background/Context
Boarding pass fraud Bengaluru airport is not a new concern. In recent years, airports across India have reported a rise in cases where travellers attempt to use forged or misappropriated tickets to bypass immigration checks. The KIA incident is the latest example of how a single ticket can be weaponised to facilitate illegal travel. With the UK tightening its visa enforcement and India tightening its border controls, the case has attracted attention from both security agencies and the public.
According to the Ministry of Home Affairs, there were 12 reported incidents of boarding pass misuse at Indian airports in 2025 alone, a 15% increase from the previous year. The KIA case is the first to involve a cross‑national exchange of a boarding pass, raising questions about the adequacy of current verification systems.
Key Developments
• Arrest of the UK national: Kandiah Rajagopal, a businessman from West London, was taken into custody after Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) officers noticed him loitering in the departure immigration area for nearly eight hours. He was found in possession of a Virgin Atlantic boarding pass for flight VS‑347 to London, which he had not boarded.
• Exchange in the restroom: After clearing separate security checks, Rajagopal met Sri Lankan national Sharusan Kunasekaran in a men’s washroom. He handed over his boarding pass, which Kunasekaran used to attempt entry into the UK. The exchange was discovered when immigration officials cross‑checked the boarding pass details with Virgin Atlantic, revealing that the passenger on the ticket was not Rajagopal.
• Detention of the Sri Lankan: Kunasekaran, who had booked a separate IndiGo flight to Singapore, was detained by UK authorities after the boarding pass fraud was reported. He is currently held in the UK and is slated for deportation to Sri Lanka.
• Legal action: A case has been registered under the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025. Rajagopal has been remanded to judicial custody and is being held at Bengaluru Central Prison. Kunasekaran faces charges of attempting to enter the UK without a valid visa.
• Security response: KIA has announced a review of its boarding pass verification process, including the introduction of biometric checks for all passengers and a mandatory “boarding pass audit” for flights with high security risk.
Impact Analysis
For travellers, the incident underscores the importance of vigilance and adherence to airline policies. Students and professionals planning international travel should be aware that:
- Using someone else’s boarding pass is illegal and can lead to arrest, deportation, and a criminal record.
- Airlines and airports are increasingly employing biometric verification, making it harder to use forged documents.
- Any attempt to bypass immigration checks can result in long-term travel restrictions and visa bans.
For the aviation industry, the case highlights gaps in the current boarding pass verification system. Airports may need to adopt real‑time data sharing between airlines and immigration authorities to detect anomalies promptly.
Expert Insights/Tips
Dr. Ananya Rao, a senior security analyst at the Indian Institute of Technology, Bengaluru, advises:
“The KIA incident is a stark reminder that security protocols must evolve with technology. Airlines should integrate facial recognition at the boarding gate, and airports should implement real‑time cross‑checking of boarding passes against passenger databases.”
For students and frequent flyers, here are practical steps to avoid falling victim to boarding pass fraud:
- Verify your boarding pass immediately after receiving it. Check the name, flight number, and departure time.
- Keep your boarding pass secure until you board. Do not share it with anyone.
- Use official airline apps to download digital boarding passes, which are harder to forge.
- Report any suspicious activity to airport security or airline staff right away.
Travel agencies and universities with study abroad programs should also reinforce these guidelines in their pre‑departure briefings.
Looking Ahead
In the wake of the KIA incident, the Ministry of Civil Aviation has announced a pilot program to test biometric boarding gates at three major airports, including Bengaluru. If successful, the system could be rolled out nationwide by 2027.
Meanwhile, the UK Home Office has tightened its visa enforcement, issuing a statement that it will collaborate with Indian authorities to track and prosecute individuals involved in boarding pass fraud. The collaboration includes data sharing agreements and joint training sessions for immigration officers.
For travellers, the key takeaway is that the security landscape is changing rapidly. Staying informed and following best practices can help avoid legal complications and ensure a smooth journey.
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