A passenger who went missing at the Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) in Bengaluru on July 10 has been found on Tuesday, a week later later.
Richpal (40), an injured passenger travelling from Bengaluru to Jaipur, was denied boarding due to intoxication and misconduct, according to officials at the airport.
"A passenger traveling from Bengaluru to Jaipur on July 10, 2018 was denied boarding at the departure gate by the airline due to his intoxication and conduct. This was in accordance with National and International aviation safety protocols. Airline staff ensured that the gentleman exited the terminal building safely after completing the airline and security requirements. The gentleman, subsequently, went missing and the family lodged a complaint with the police," an airport spokesperson said.
Airport police went into a tizzy in search of the missing person since he was on a wheel chair after fracturing his leg earlier this month. Richpal is a native of Rajasthan working in a tile factory in Chitoor in Andhra Pradesh.
Mukesh, his colleague who dropped him off at the airport, filed the complaint after Richpal's family informed him that he had not reached Jaipur on the flight. The search operation which continued for three days ended on Tuesdayafter he was found at Kannamangala, approximately 10 kms away from the airport.
"An extensive search was carried out by teams from the police, assisted by BIAL security staff, in the vicinity of the Airport. The gentleman was located at 2.30 am on July 17, 2018, at Kannamangala village – approximately 10 km from the BLR Airport. He was brought back to the Airport, offered food, his relatives informed and handed over to the safe custody of the police until such time his family arrives," an airport spokesperson confirmed.
Richpal has been advised rest by his doctors.
