Youtuber arrested for false claims of 24-hour stay at Bengaluru airport, video taken down

Vikas Gowda made a video at the Bengaluru airport and uploaded it on YouTube before it was taken down. (Image: @vikas.gowda.777363/Facebook)

A 23-year-old YouTuber was arrested for allegedly claiming that he spent over 24 hours inside Bengaluru's Kempegowda International Airport hoodwinking security and evading detection, sparking concerns over security loopholes.

Vikas Gowda, a resident of Yelahanka in Bengaluru, also made a video and uploaded it on YouTube before it was taken down. Investigations revealed a different narrative, with police claiming that the content creator was lying that he spent a whole day at the airport, leading to his arrest on charges of spreading false information.

Gowda entered the airport on April 7 under the guise of boarding Air India’s Bengaluru-Chennai flight at 12 pm. Instead, he chose to explore the facilities, sidestepping his scheduled departure.

He stayed at the airport for around five hours, police claimed, and since it was not an international flight, Gowda departed the airport premises without any intervention a few hours later claiming he missed his flight.

On April 12, Gowda uploaded a video to his YouTube channel (@VikasGowda1), claiming an extended stay within the airport, accompanied by critical remarks on security protocols.

The video's viral circulation prompted action from the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), the agency entrusted with the airport's security. Lodging a complaint on April 15, the CISF alleged dissemination of misinformation by Gowda. Subsequently, he faced arrest, but was later released on bail, and the video was taken down from his channel.

Preliminary investigation said he pulled the stunt for publicity and views. Cops have seized his mobile phone for further investigation.

Gowda faces legal repercussions under sections 505 (Statements conducing to public mischief) and 448 (house trespass) of the Indian Penal Code.