Spat takes place between Passenger and Customs officer at Chennai Officer

Chennai: A stand-off between a customs officer and an air passenger hit a new low on Saturday night at Chennai airport when both approached the police with complaints against each other. Meeran, a Burma Bazaar trader who arrived from Singapore on Saturday evening, walked through the green channel with his two bags. However, one of the customs inspectors suspected that Meeran was carrying contraband.

He whisked Meeran to the baggage checking area. After opening the bags, the officials allegedly started scattering the things around and damage biscuits packets in the name of checking. This infuriated Meeran, who raised an objection. A heated argument between the two almost reached the stage where they were about to exchange blows when the police intervened and pacified them.

Meeran packed his things and walked again through the green channel, but the door-frame beeped, suggesting that he was carrying a metal with him. The customs official checked his shoes and found that he had fixed some metal on the heels for its long life. Humiliated by repeated checks by customs, Meeran lodged a complaint with the airport police, alleging that the customs officer had demanded Rs10,000 for allowing him to go out without checking.The customs officer also lodged a compliant alleging that Meeran had abused and threatened him besides preventing him from discharging his duty.