Former Chennai airport official arrested for Rs 23 lakh job fraud

A 52-year-old former senior superintendent of the Airports Authority of India (AAI) has been arrested for allegedly defrauding 12 individuals of Rs 23 lakh. The accused, identified as Kumari Kala, reportedly promised permanent employment at Chennai airport and its air cargo offices to secure the funds.

Kala, who took voluntary retirement in 2025, allegedly targeted educated youths from the families of goods vehicle drivers working under her rental business. She reportedly collected between Rs 1 lakh and Rs 2 lakh from each victim, providing them with purported job application forms and claiming that appointment orders were being processed by the AAI headquarters in Delhi.

After six months without employment, victims discovered that Kala was no longer an active official and sought refunds, prompting her to go into hiding. Following a complaint to the South Chennai Joint Commissioner of Police, authorities arrested her and remanded her to Puzhal prison. Investigations suggest she may have engaged in similar fraudulent activities while still in active service.