British Man Arrested for Secret Boarding Pass Swap That Helped Sri Lankan Man Fly to UK Illegally
A simple trip to the toilet at Bangalore’s airport turned into the center of a shocking international crime story.
Indian authorities arrested a British national after he secretly gave his boarding pass to a Sri Lankan man, helping him fly to the United Kingdom without a valid visa. The incident, reported on January 18, has now triggered investigations in India, Sri Lanka, and the UK, exposing serious weaknesses in airport security and illegal migration networks.
The case involves Kandaiah Rajagopal, a 52-year-old businessman from west London, and Sharusan Kunasekaran, a Sri Lankan national who wanted to reach Britain but lacked legal permission.
What followed was a carefully planned boarding pass exchange inside an airport toilet, a suspicious eight-hour wait, and arrests across two countries.
This article explains what happened, how the plan worked, why it matters, and what this case reveals about modern illegal migration.
A Secret Meeting Inside an Airport Toilet
According to investigators, Kandaiah Rajagopal entered India on a tourist visa and booked a Virgin Atlantic flight to London. At the same time, Sharusan Kunasekaran booked a ticket to Singapore on IndiGo Airlines.
After both men passed security checks at Bangalore’s Kampala International Airport, they met secretly inside a toilet in the terminal. There, they exchanged their boarding passes.
This simple action changed everything.
Sharusan used Kandaiah’s boarding pass to board the London flight. Airport systems still showed the seat as belonging to the British passenger, so security allowed him to continue.
Meanwhile, Kandaiah stayed behind.
The Eight-Hour Wait That Raised Suspicion
Instead of leaving the airport, Kandaiah remained inside the terminal for nearly eight hours.
This unusual behavior attracted the attention of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF).
Security officers questioned him and contacted airline officials to confirm passenger details. They soon discovered something alarming:
Another person was already flying in Kandaiah’s assigned seat.
Faced with this evidence, Kandaiah admitted the truth.
He told police that he planned to help Sharusan reach London and later arranged another ticket so Sharusan could return to Sri Lanka after entering the UK.
Arrest in India and Detention in the UK
Indian police arrested Kandaiah immediately.
At the same time, Indian authorities informed officials in the United Kingdom. When Sharusan arrived in London, UK officers detained him for entering the country illegally.
Officials are now preparing to deport Sharusan back to Sri Lanka.
Meanwhile, Indian courts remanded Kandaiah to Parappana Agrahara Central Prison. Authorities charged him under the Immigration and Foreigners Act 2025.
Who Is Kandaiah Rajagopal?
Kandaiah Rajagopal is not a new traveler.
He has lived in London for about 30 years and works as a businessman. During questioning, he told police that he survived a shooting in Trincomalee in 2012, a detail that added another layer of complexity to his background.
However, authorities have not confirmed whether that past event connects to the current case.
What remains clear is this:
He knowingly helped another person travel illegally across international borders.
How Could This Happen at a Major Airport?
This case raises a serious question:
How can someone fly internationally using another person’s boarding pass?
Airports rely on:
-
Boarding passes
-
Passport checks
-
Airline databases
-
Face-to-face verification
But human error, busy terminals, and similar physical features can weaken these systems.
Investigators believe that:
-
The boarding pass was valid.
-
The passport inspection may not have matched carefully with the boarding name.
-
The rush at boarding gates helped the swap succeed.
This incident shows how illegal migration methods are becoming smarter and harder to detect
Illegal Migration: A Growing Global Problem
Across the world, thousands of people attempt to migrate illegally each year.
Some seek:
-
Better jobs
-
Safety from conflict
-
Family reunification
-
Medical treatment
Others fall into the hands of smugglers who charge large sums of money.
In this case, authorities still investigate whether money changed hands between the two men or whether larger networks are involved.
Even one successful attempt encourages more people to try similar methods.
Legal Consequences Could Be Severe
Kandaiah faces multiple serious charges in India, including:
-
Assisting illegal migration
-
Providing false travel documents
-
Violating immigration laws
If convicted, he could face:
-
Heavy fines
-
Several years in prison
-
Permanent travel restrictions
Sharusan may also face legal action in the UK and Sri Lanka for:
-
Entering the UK illegally
-
Using false travel documents
-
Violating international travel laws
Why This Case Matters to Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka has struggled with illegal migration for years.
Many citizens risk dangerous journeys to reach Europe or the UK due to:
-
Economic pressure
-
Lack of jobs
-
Rising living costs
This incident places Sri Lanka again in international headlines, highlighting the need for:
-
Stronger awareness programs
-
Legal migration education
-
Tighter travel checks
-
Support for job creation at home
Authorities fear that such stories may inspire others to attempt similar illegal travel methods.
Airport Security Under the Spotlight
After this incident, security experts are calling for:
-
Biometric verification at boarding gates
-
Facial recognition systems
-
Better staff training
-
Random identity rechecks before boarding
Even a single failure can lead to international embarrassment, security threats, and legal trouble.
What Happens Next?
Indian police continue their investigation to find out:
-
Whether other people helped plan this operation
-
Whether similar attempts happened before
-
Whether smuggling networks operate through the same airport
UK authorities are preparing legal procedures to deport Sharusan.
Sri Lankan officials may question him upon arrival to understand:
-
Who planned the journey
-
Whether money was paid
-
Whether other migrants are involved
A Simple Swap With Serious Consequences
This story proves one thing clearly:
A small action can cause massive international consequences.
A boarding pass exchange inside a toilet led to:
-
Arrests in two countries
-
Diplomatic cooperation
-
Prison sentences
-
Public fear
-
Renewed debate on illegal migration
Conclusion
The arrest of Kandaiah Rajagopal and the detention of Sharusan Kunasekaran reveal how fragile global travel systems can be when people misuse them.
This case is not just about two individuals. It is about:
-
Airport security
-
Illegal migration
-
Human desperation
-
International law
-
And public safety
Authorities must now tighten controls, educate travelers, and dismantle any networks connected to such operations.
For ordinary people, this story sends a strong message:
Illegal shortcuts may look easy, but they almost always end in arrest, loss, and long-term damage.