Bhatkal student 'harassed' at KIA, misses Dubai flight

A final-year student of Arabic from Jamia Islamia Education Institute in Bhatkal was harassed by officials on the pretext of scrutiny at the Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) on Wednesday.

Arsalan Ahmed Khaji had taken a visit visa to travel to Dubai to visit his parents on a Air Arabia flight at 4.35 am. His luggage, documents and passport were scrutinised after it was discovered that he hailed from Bhatkal.

Khaji said documents were returned to him after the flight left, he told reporters in Bhatkal over phone. He said he was mentally tirtured only because he hailed from Bhatkal, though his documents were in order. The student sees a conspiracy to defame the town. Khaji plans to approach the Human Rights Commission. He left for Dubai on Thursday. Majlis-e-Islah Wa Tanzeem, Bhatkal Muslim Jamaat of Bengaluru and other organisations have condemned the action and have sought action against officials responsible.