If Karmayog and ACB want to prove themselves this is a recent case with names of the corrupt employees (I hate to call them officers, they are only XXXXXXX
My wife Traveled from UK to Mumbai on 4th December on flight BA 319. The flight reached Mumbai at midnight of 4th Dec. Dec. 5th, 00.30 hrs.
The custom employees on duty were Asha Argekar and A. Chaudhari (Sahib).
My wife was carrying with her a diamond set, & a laptop, purchased in US.
Like a fool, she believed in AMC story and decided to go through red channel. She declared both the items and said she will be taking them back with her to US early next month.
This was real ” Aa Bel mujhe maar”
The efficient custom employee, Asha Argekar, asked her to produce the original receipts. My wife had traveled from US to UK and to Indai & was not carrying these receipts.
Asha Argekar realized the potential loot and called her sahib Mr. A. Chaudhari. The sahib ordered immediately to confiscate the goods.
My wife argued that she was honest (in my view, fool) to declare the diamond set. Perhaps, she could have easily walked out through green channel. She only wanted customs to stamp these items on her passport and she would take them back while leaving India.
But of course, the honest, duty bound custom employees could not allow any goods in India without the original purchase receipt.
Ashaji and Chaudhari sahib had private discussion for few minutes for deciding the bounty. Asha Argekar came to my wife and asked to pay 50,000 Rs. or 1000 US “or sahib will cascade the diamonds “.
My wife kept on arguing till 03.30 in the morning. She was tired of 9 hrs. Of travel and harassed for 3 hrs. By friendly Indian officers.
Finally, Ashagi agreed for Rs. 10,000. My wife was not carrying much cash and again like typical American Fool asked them to charge her credit card. I am sure, this will be a Joke in the Mumbai customs for some time. Chaudhari sahib made it clear that he can accept only cash or travelers cheques. Again Ashagi came to her help and advised her to get the cash from Thomas Cook, money exchange counter.
Asha Argekar would accept the cash only inside a closed room (may be she is afraid of vigilant MAC officers!)
Finally my wife paid the cash and got final piece of friendly advice from the custom officer, “Next time, just say they are American diamonds”. Ha…ha
Do you think Karma yoga can really do anything about this? Most probably MAC will charge my wife for bribing a respectable Government servant
We need action, enough of talks