AHMEDABAD:
In a major disciplinary action, four Customs officials posted at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International (SVPI) Airport in Ahmedabad have been suspended with immediate effect. The crackdown comes following serious allegations of their direct involvement in assisting international passengers with illegal smuggling operations.
This marks the first time in the airport’s history that four officials have been suspended simultaneously in a single action.
Suspended Officials
The Customs department took decisive action against the personnel, which includes:
- Two Superintendents
- Two Inspectors
Details of the Case
According to departmental sources, the officials came under the scanner following internal intelligence inputs suggesting irregularities during the clearance of international passengers. Initial investigations revealed that the accused officers were allegedly aiding passengers in bypassing mandatory security checks and smuggling restricted items, including gold, through airport customs.
Following actionable evidence gathered by the vigilance wing, top administrative authorities ordered their immediate suspension from service.
Historic Action at SVPI Airport
While single-officer transfers or suspensions have occurred in the past, a simultaneous suspension of four mid-to-high-ranking officials—comprising two superintendents and two inspectors—is unprecedented at the Ahmedabad airport.
The move has sent strong shockwaves through the administrative and security agencies deployed at the facility. A comprehensive departmental inquiry has been initiated against all four officers, with further legal proceedings expected to follow as investigations proceed.
