The ongoing investigation against a superintendent of customs (Air Intelligence Unit) has brought out in the open the rivalry between two important departments responsible for keeping smuggling in check at the airport — the AIU and the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), which brought the alleged crime to light.
The accused, Abhay Chaudhary, was recently transferred out of airport duty following his suspected involvement in a smuggling racket out of the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport. The incident allegedly happened earlier this month, when gold biscuits worth over Rs75 lakh were believed to have been smuggled into the country.
While the AIU is responsible for keeping tabs and preventing smuggling at the airport, the DRI, which has a larger role, is mainly into intelligence gathering and dissemination of information regarding revenue frauds. Sources said both these agencies have been known to clash with each other several times.
While DRI sources said Chaudhary's name cropped up when suspects' phones were being tapped, which the DRI started after seizing the gold, his colleagues and friends claimed that he has been framed and could be a victim of departmental rivalry.
A senior customs official, who has worked with Chaudhary, said, "I refuse to believe that he could have done something like this. He is a seasoned officer and knows the consequences of being involved in such a crime."
Another customs official said, "He himself has cracked several cases of gold smuggling and has played a big role in keeping it in check at Mumbai airport."
Chaudhary remained unavailable for comment and senior AIU officials did not respond to calls.
In 2012, two CISF personnel were held for their alleged involvement in smuggling of gold worth over Rs3 crore through Mumbai airport
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