A customs inspector at the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport at Shamshabad was allegedly beaten up by the chief security officer after he failed to produce his entry pass. The customs inspector, Mr Karthik, was reportedly beaten black and blue by the chief security officer and his personnel as he was unable to produce his entry pass when demanded. As per norms, employees working at the airport, whether they are with central government agencies like the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Central Excise and Customs or with GMR, the airport operator, have to produce their entry pass.
Entry into the new international airport terminal building has been heavily restricted by the GMR authorities since the new airport became functional last month citing security reasons. On Friday night, at about 8.30 pm, the customs inspector, Mr Karthik, took a break and went outside the terminal building for a cup of tea. He forgot to take his entry pass along with him. After he had tea, he returned to the terminal only to be stopped by a guard of Raksha, a private agency engaged by GMR.
He insisted on the entry pass and threatened that without it Mr Karthik would not be allowed to enter. The customs inspector tried to reason with the security guard but in vain, according to the complaint filed with the Shamshabad police station.
A heated argument ensued and the security guard reportedly manhandled the customs inspector. Mr Karthik works in the air cargo section of the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport. He was alleged to have been beaten up by the chief security officer and 10 others over a trivial matter right in the airport building.
As per the police complaint, the unidentified security guard immediately rang up the chief security officer who rushed to the spot along with nine other security personnel. “As per the First Information Report, the chief security officer, Mr Saboo Sahadevan, along with 10 others beat up Mr Karthik. We registered a case of assault on a government officer on duty against Mr Saboo Sahadevan and 10 others. The FIR has just been issued so after conducting a preliminary investigation, we will take the accused into custody,” said Shamshabad inspector, Mr Rama Chandrudu.
There was a delay in registering a complaint with the police as the association of the central excise and customs department deliberated over the issue for a day. It was finally decided that a complaint should be lodged with the police as private security guards beating up a customs official would set a bad precedent. When contacted, a spokesperson for GMR brushed aside the incident as a minor one. The accused are likely to be arrested on Monday.