A passenger arriving from Kuwait has accused a customs officer at Ahmedabad airport of accepting a bribe in exchange for allowing him to carry gold through clearance. The allegation, made via an email to senior officials, has prompted a full-fledged internal investigation.
According to sources at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, the incident occurred on July 14. The passenger arrived in Ahmedabad on an early morning IndiGo flight from Kuwait. After clearing immigration, he was stopped at the customs counter, where officials found a 10-gram gold coin in his baggage.
The customs officer reportedly demanded Rs 45,000 as duty. However, the passenger claimed he was entitled to carry up to 10 grams of gold under international travel rules.
A heated exchange followed. Eventually, the officer allegedly offered to “settle” the matter for Rs 15,000.
The passenger transferred Rs 15,000 via PhonePe to a number shared by the officer and was then allowed to leave the airport without further action.
Later, the passenger shot off emails lodging a complaint about the custom officer’s conduct. The email sent to higher authorities includes transaction details and a QR code used for the payment. Following this, senior customs officials ordered an internal probe. Investigators traced the payment to an SBI account in the name of one LS Chauhan.
When questioned, Chauhan claimed ignorance about the transaction. However, officials remain sceptical and suspect he may be complicit. “The person who received the money has been identified, but both the complainant and the officer he referred to in the email are currently untraceable,” said an airport source.
Authorities have now sought CCTV footage from immigration counters, baggage claim, and other key areas of the airport. A list of officers on duty during the incident and the passenger manifest of the IndiGo flight have also been requested.
“The complaint has raised serious concerns,” the source added. Gold and narcotics smuggling cases have seen a spike recently and there is growing suspicion of insider involvement among personnel from certain central agencies posted at the airport.
A Customs official confirmed the receipt of the complaint. “We have received a complaint from the passenger. The matter is serious. If any officer is found guilty, strict action will be taken,” he said.
