Hyderabad: Customs officials, who fought for the removal of CCTV cameras from the checking points of RGI Airport, are demanding bribes from returning Gulf passengers for allowing in gold coins and electronic goods.
Earlier, surveillance cameras were installed at the customs’ checking points and there was no scope for corruption by the checking staff.
But customs officials demanded the removal of CCTV cameras and succeeded, and now the looting of passengers is going on unchecked.
G. Naresh Goud, an engineer working in Saudi Arabia, said the absence of CCTV cameras at checking points has become a boon for customs staff.
“I bought three gold coins of eight grams each. I had four grams more than what was allowed. I was ready to pay tax for the four grams but customs personnel threatened me with case. They demanded Rs 2,000 as bribe or they said I will have to sit at the customs office for a full day to pay tax. I had no option as I had come to Hyderabad to attend a marriage and my return ticket was confirmed two days later,” he said.
A source said that customs officials target timid passengers and they are very active during Gulf flights. “Workers coming from Gulf do not know customs rules and the permissible quantity of gold or goods like electronic appliances and cigars. They fear arrests and court cases and customs officials exploit this. Installing CCTV cameras at checking points is the only solution,” the source said.
