• I Paid A Bribe
• 14 years ago
• 225 views

I paid a bribe to a customs officer at Shamshabad Airport

• Customs, Excise and Service Tax
• Customs Check and Clearance
• Paid INR 2,000

I had 4 litres of liquor in my check-in bag on 6th Nov 2009 night when I landed at Shahsmbad airport, I am aware of the fact that I am allowed to bring in only 2 litres of liquor not 4 litres and I was expecting to pay taxes on extra 2 litres of liquor. The customs officer, who was on duty that night had asked me to pay Rs 4000 tax without even looking at the purchase receipts for bringing in extra 2 litres of liquor . As I did not have Rs 4000, I said I would take them back on the day I fly back to the country where I bought these liquor bottles from. He then said to pay
Rs 2000 instead of Rs 4000. I was still short of Rs 1000 and I told him that I could pay in Thai Bahts instead. He accepted 1,500 Thai Bahts and failed to give me the receipt for the payment I made and asked me to leave. I was under the impression that I was paying the fine for carrying extra 2 litres of liquor but I was wrong, what actually happent was, I unknowingly paid him a bribe of 1,500.00 Thai Bahts . I am pretty sure the money I paid went into his own pocket. I suppose it’s a new way of asking bribe from international passengers. It's such a big shame that we built a new international airport in hyderabad but staffed with same old corrupted customs officers. As in every international airport, I expect that Customs area in Shamshabad airport is under video surveillance and I wonder how these kind of activities are being tolerated by higher officials unless the higher officials are involved and are getting their shares.