Ahmedabad Airport Customs Row: 4 Officials Suspended

AHMEDABAD : A complaint alleging that customs officials took a passenger’s luggage at Ahmedabad International Airport has triggered action against four officials, with the department suspending two superintendents and two inspectors amid an ongoing investigation.

The suspended officials have been identified as Superintendents Vinay Arora and Kuldeep Paliwal and Inspectors Bharatbhai Meena and Kaushal Kumar. The action comes against the backdrop of repeated friction between passengers and customs personnel at the airport.

The incident reportedly occurred on Friday morning when two passengers arriving on a Dubai-Ahmedabad flight were stopped and questioned by customs officials. One passenger, a tourist from Surat, allegedly complained that officials had taken his luggage and contacted a senior customs officer.

By the time the senior officer reached the airport, however, the passenger had left and his phone was switched off. Customs officials subsequently traced him to Kosamba in Surat, where his preliminary statement was recorded.

Senior customs officials have since ordered a detailed departmental inquiry. The officers facing suspension have reportedly denied the passenger’s allegations.

According to a senior customs official, the passenger will be called to the airport for a reconstruction of the incident. “We will record the passenger’s statement and then take statements of the customs officials. CCTV footage and other available evidence will be examined to establish what actually happened,” the official said.

The department has also raised concerns over the body-worn cameras issued to airport customs personnel. The cameras were introduced to record interactions between officials and passengers, particularly amid allegations and confrontations. Sources said the cameras of the suspended officials were switched off, despite a memo reportedly having been issued to them earlier over the issue.

Meanwhile, a complaint has also been lodged at Kosamba Police Station against passenger Asif Rustam Patel, alleging assault, abuse and threats to kill.

Officials said further action will depend on the findings of the investigation. If contradictory or false statements are established, action could also be taken under the Customs Act, while a police complaint may be filed if warranted.