- I Paid A Bribe
- 13 years ago
- 384 views
Paid bribe @ Mumbai International Airport for carrying My Mangalsutra
- Customs, Excise and Service Tax
- Customs Check and Clearance
- Paid INR 10,000
I was filled with excitement as I was coming to India after a long gap of 4 years. I had to attend a wedding at Kochi. I had decided to spend a week with my parents and brother in Mumbai before proceeding to Kochi.
Though I am a citizen of New Zealand, I am very much an Indian at heart. Always miss my homeland. And here is how I was welcomed at the Mumbai Chhatrapati ********** International Airport by the Baggage Customs officials !!!
After a long, tiring journey, I arrived at the Mumbai Airport by Singapore Airlines flight SQ424 at 11 pm on 28th April, 2012. I walked through the green channel as I had nothing to declare. I was only carrying my Mangalsutra, 1 ********** and 4 bangles and 2 rings. Though I had to attend a wedding, I had not carried much jewellery, as I was travelling alone. I was stopped by the customs officials saying that I was carrying too much gold !!! I was told that I had to pay Rs.18,000. I was shocked as I was being asked to pay duty for the Mangalsutra too!!! When I tried to argue with them, I was asked to keep my voice low. I was told that if their senior officer came, I would end up paying Rs.25,000. I was alone, tired, shaken. As I didn’t have INR with me, I walked to the ATM machine and withdrew Rs.18,000 using my Credit Card. When I walked back to make the payment, one of the officials whispered to me that if I paid them Rs.10,000 they would let me go and that I wont be getting a receipt for that amount. He took me inside a small room where I paid him Rs.10,000 after which, I was allowed to leave.
This is when I realised that nothing had changed in India! When the custom officials can harass a lone woman, how can the country change for the better???