- I Paid A Bribe
- 14 years ago
- 464 views
Forced for a bribe to the customs constable though not carrying anything for which duty has to be paid
I was returning from OSLO to Delhi today morning at 12:15 AM.I was carrying with me 1 company laptop,1 camera, 1 Ipod and 1 external harddisk (All item purchased years back in India). I was caught by the customs constable at the exit gate. He was asking me whether you are carrying a laptop, I said yes. Then he asked for what all electronic items I am carrying. I said the above mentioned items. Then he asked were is the duty paid for these items.I replied that these items were bought in India and why should I have to pay the duty for it.And I showed him the letter of approval from my company for carrying the laptop abroad as a proof that this was bought in India (though one laptop is allowed to be carried).
Constable - where is the declaration form you have submitted for these goods before you leave India.
Me - There is nothing requested like that before I leave India and I never heard of anything like that.
Constable - You are trying to cheat me. I worked there for 5 years and you are saying that there is nothing like that.
The argument went on like these for nearly half an hour but he was not ready to listen anything. Then I asked him what is the official way to deal with it. He said I have to ********** the officers in the rooms there. Since I was sure that nothing wrong with me I started walking towards those rooms. The constable followed me and asked me what are you doing. I said i'll ********** the officers and will have myself checked. Then he stopped me and said " You know they will check you inch by inch for 2- 3 hours and even if you are good to go they will not leave you and will ask Rs 2000. See I am trying to help you. You pay me Rs 500 and I'll leave you free to go". I said " I know about their checkin time and i am ready for it " and I started walking towards the direction of the room where he has pointed. " then an another constable rushed to stop me and he pulled my luggages back and said that why do you want to suffer like this, just give us 500 and you can go out without any hastle and currently there are no officers there until 6 am. After this I finally gave up as I was so tired of my journey and wanted to get back home at the earliest as it was midnight and have to travel to my native today morning. I paid them 500 and came out.I fell so ashamed of paying a bribe.
But is there really a declaration form for goods which you are carrying before we leave India and what should I or anyone in my situation should have done to avoid paying a bribe?