Customs officials at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport apprehended three private company employees working at the airport for posing as customs officers and attempting to extort money from an arriving passenger. The accused were identified as Salman Idris Khan (30), Pramod Chhabban Kamble (28), and Darshit Mohan Raut (32).
The incident came to light when a passenger, Abdul Baqi, who had arrived from Dubai by flight 613-1456, complained that three men stopped him at the post-customs clearance area, claiming to be customs officers. They allegedly showed their airport entry passes as identification and pretended to inspect his luggage, demanding money under the pretext of avoiding higher customs duty.
Customs Superintendent Satvir Gurjar, along with officers Yatendra Thakur and the complainant, immediately detained the suspects and took them to the customs hall. Interrogation revealed that the trio worked with private firms at the airport but had no authority to be in the passenger areas.
Further probe revealed their associate Pratik Mahadik (35) supplied them with photos and details of incoming passengers. CCTV footage confirmed their actions. The trio were handed over to Sahar Police Station for further investigation under charges of impersonation and extortion.
Source #ET
