- Bribe Fighter
- 13 years ago
- 2214 views
Customs officer asked for a bribe at International airport
I am an NRI who left India in late 1970's, returning every now and then for visting my matri-********** and relatives. I was asked by a custom officer on arrival at Delhi airport (year 2002) to pay Rs 1,000 when he had calculated, wrongly, custom duty of Rs 2.500.
I asked him to prepare the documents so that I can pay Rs 2,500 at the bank counter and get a reciept.
He threatened me, "If you do that, I will check further and increase your duty to Rs 15,000."
I responded to Mr ******* , the officer asking for the bribe, "I will pay Rs 15,000 at the bank counter, please make the documents."
He was puzzled and asked me if I was carrying any foreign currency.
I said yes, I have a few one hundred US dollar bills with me.
"Give me a hundered US Dollars and you can go.", he demanded.
I said, "No, I wont do that, prepare Rs 15,000 duty papers and I will pay at the bank counter."
On seeing this discussion, another officer, Mr ******* came by, spoke to me, and then indicated to Mr ******* to let me go.
Mr ******* , now reduced his demand from Rs 1,000 to Rs 200.
I told Mr ******* , "I will pay Rs 15,000 to the bank counter but no money to you."
Then I said to him, "I live overseas and for the half an hour you have detained me, I can earn more than Rs 15,000."
I further told him, "Whenever India is maligned in the media overseas, I spring to India's defence. But whenever I come to India, I am shocked at the rotten India you represent which I have been defending."
Mr ******* came back and I was allowed to leave without having to pay any bribe.
I have returned back to live in India after 35 years. I fully support anti corruption campaign.