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This Article is From May 21, 2011

Why Customs Exposes Stars

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Updated : May 21, 2011 5:46 pm IST

Highlights

  • Of late, the customs department at the Mumbai airport has been exposing customs violations by high-profile personalities, who unwittingly or otherwise bring in undeclared goods inside the country that would otherwise attract heavy duties. It claims it is doing so to set an example for others.
  • The latest case in point is that of actress Minissha Lamba, passing through the green channel with undeclared jewellery allegedly worth Rs 50 lakh.
  • Officials said that they try to spread awareness about regulations and the penalties their breach entails, but passengers show reluctance to follow norms. And when caught, they have a ready excuse they do not know what the rules are.
  • "We normally try our best to educate the passengers with our ready handouts which specify the customs guidelines to be followed. Some passengers follow them, but many do not bother.
  • To ensure norms are not flouted, we want to convey a strong message by exposing high-profile cases like that of Lamba, the wife of steel magnate Sajjan Jindal, and Sheetal Mafatlal (wife of businessman)," said a top official of Mumbai Customs.
  • Asked whether the customs department would adopt a policy to educate travellers about guidelines, the official said, "Currently, there are no such plans in our knowledge".
  • On several occasions, many passengers allegedly break the law knowingly and when caught, escape easily after pleading ignorance. For instance, claimed the customs official, Lamba, who was caught with undeclared diamond ornaments, maintained in her statement that she was not aware of the laws.
Mumbai: Of late, the customs department at the Mumbai airport has been exposing customs violations by high-profile personalities, who unwittingly or otherwise bring in undeclared goods inside the country that would otherwise attract heavy duties. It claims it is doing so to set an example for others.

The latest case in point is that of actress Minissha Lamba, passing through the green channel with undeclared jewellery allegedly worth Rs 50 lakh.

Officials said that they try to spread awareness about regulations and the penalties their breach entails, but passengers show reluctance to follow norms. And when caught, they have a ready excuse they do not know what the rules are.

"We normally try our best to educate the passengers with our ready handouts which specify the customs guidelines to be followed. Some passengers follow them, but many do not bother.

To ensure norms are not flouted, we want to convey a strong message by exposing high-profile cases like that of Lamba, the wife of steel magnate Sajjan Jindal, and Sheetal Mafatlal (wife of businessman)," said a top official of Mumbai Customs.

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Asked whether the customs department would adopt a policy to educate travellers about guidelines, the official said, "Currently, there are no such plans in our knowledge".

On several occasions, many passengers allegedly break the law knowingly and when caught, escape easily after pleading ignorance. For instance, claimed the customs official, Lamba, who was caught with undeclared diamond ornaments, maintained in her statement that she was not aware of the laws.

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The handy excuse

"The customs guidelines categorically read that every traveller has to declare their assets prior to departure so the customs department is aware of the goods being carried to a destination."

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He continued, "The recent case of Goa Education Minister Atanasio Monserrate is another example. He was detained for possessing undisclosed US dollars at the airport. But he said he was not aware of the rules."

However, Lamba, who was caught on Wednesday morning and released post midnight, said during a press briefing that "a minor mistake" led to the trouble.

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"I was not aware of the complex procedure of customs. A minor mistake happened from my side due to which I was questioned by the Mumbai Customs," she said. Lamba also added that celebrities are easy targets.

Caught unawares?

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June 2009: Sheetal Mafatlal, president of Mafatlal Luxury, was arrested for carrying undisclosed jewellery.

May 2011: The wife of Sajjan Jindal of JSW Steel, Sangeeta, was fined Rs 10 lakh for carrying undeclared valuables worth Rs 60 lakh.

April 2011: Goa Education Minister Atanasio Monserrate was detained at the Mumbai airport for possessiong US dollars beyond legal limits.
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