My Bible is Customs Act
AFTER fixing an appointment with the man in the news, I landed at his office at the appointed time. He called me on my cell and after apologizing profusely said, he would be reaching within an hour. I waited and thought it would be prudent to use this time to ask about the ‘man' from his office staff. Saheb is dynamic, dashing and supportive, they said. Had it not been for him, the recent incident at the Airport would have seen our officers facing the music for no fault of theirs. They were referring to the news item, which we had reported in .
I had seen a photograph of him sitting in his office in a tabloid and his bulging biceps made me visualize a hefty, heavily built man for his voice over the phone was sonorous. I was waiting in the visitor's room and an officer called out - taxindia se koyiaayahaina, sahab ne bulayahai!
I did not know when he came for I did not see a ‘tall, hefty, muscular man' pass by. The officer took me to his cabin and tea was ordered.
Sameer Wankhede is an unassuming man but talks tough. Whose father retired as a top cop after more than three decades of unblemished service and mother whose social service activities involves looking after the needs of more than two hundred destitute children adopted by her, Sameer could not have chosen a different path but follow in their footsteps and devote his life for the uplift of mankind by serving the community. Saddened by the unearthly affairs in the government offices primarily of corruption he felt that there is no point merely in talking about it. If the system has to be changed, he should be a part of the system to change it from inside. This determination of his saw him clearing the UPSC exams and joining as a Police Officer in the IB in the year 2005. After the rigorous training, he was made a part of the contingent entrusted with Anti Naxalite operations in Andhra Pradesh and soon saw himself being made a part of the Special Operations Group in the capital. Probably, he had other ideas in mind so he had another go at the Civil Services and thus joined the IRS in the year 2008. Being posted to the Mumbai Airport in the year 2010 as an Assistant Commissioner, Air Intelligence Unit, was his dream come true. He was aware of the ludicrous treatment given to top celebrities and top business personalities at the airports upon their arrival from abroad. Whereas the commoners were made to go through the formalities, these celebrities and businessmen were allowed to pass through the green channel with no questions asked. This was what annoyed him. "For me the Bible is the Customs Act and it applies to all - be it a commoner or for that matter any high profile person", thundered Sameer. "They should obey the law not give a damn to it. And I am ready to face the consequences", he says. Sameer's name started appearing in the local newspapers when he had stopped a Bollywood actress who was returning with gold and diamond jewellery worth more than Rs.35 lakhs. Her tantrums notwithstanding, the actress was required to pay the duties and then leave the airport. Till yesterday, all these top celebrities and top businessmen were never stopped at the airport and they used to walk out through the green channel as if nothing or for that matter no one could stop them. "I only made them aware of the Customs Act and said this Act applies to them too", says Sameer. Catching these celebrities and industrial magnates with their loads of merchandise shopped abroad became a regular feature and they realized that it is better to declare and pay the taxes due. Sameer's informants had also made him aware of the rampant collusion between the officers posted in the Airport of various government agencies and private contractors and those involved in smuggling. They were bleeding the exchequer by crores of rupees and Sameer could no longer take it. Drastic action followed and the offenders are now languishing in prison and some have lost their jobs or are suspended. He categorised the offenders into three kinds - one, who are habituated to smuggling, some who do it for earning a fast buck and some who just want to throw their weight around although they can very well afford to pay the duties. His no-nonsense actions have put a spanner in to their evil designs and although smuggling of gold, memory cards and valuable merchandise has not stopped, yet it is down from an ever so high figure of nearly 3000 cases that he booked in the past two years. He also informed that Mumbai has now become a focal point for drug smuggling - consumption of cocaine and party drug methaqualone in rave parties, tinsel town and by wealthy individuals has seen a leap in the recent past. Ketamine smuggling has become most lucrative, he says, manufacturing a kilogram costs around Rs.30,000/- and it sells abroad for more than Rs.10 lakhs. Many such modules have been busted by him and his team. 17 cases, 20 arrests and 153 kgs of drugs have been seized, worth more than 50 Crores in the international markets, he rattles off the figures. Asked whether he gets any calls asking him to go slow, he says, he ignores them.
Such no-nonsense action against the offenders probably did not go down well with the regulars in the trade. Sameer received a couple of abusive letters and death threats recently. Those are cowards, he says. The department head wrote to the police to investigate the matter and provide police protection but Sameer would have none of those. When asked why, he says, I can protect myself! And will this protection be given to all the officers who assist me - even their lives are precious? I do not want to demoralize the force, that's why I refused security cover.
I am only performing my duty and the blessings of my mother and father and the support of my family are always with me, Sameer says. Above all, I believe in HIM - HE will take care of me!
His parents and his better half are proud of his achievements and offer rock solid support to him. My mother says, I have given my son to the nation. He has to take care of his mother-land, said Sameer when asked what his mother felt about his achievements and the recent threats.
"All this, I could achieve because of my Commissioner, who is a fatherly figure to me, is upright and honest to the core and supports me in all the actions taken", said Sameer. "The department stands behind me", he says.
"My officers understand the responsibility that is cast upon them at the airports and ably assist me in bringing to book the offenders. I am a cop at heart", added Sameer.
The tea arrived.
The intercom rang and it was the Commissioner's PA at the other end.
I am sorry, I have to leave, please have the tea and meet you soon, the Commissioner has called me, he said, and scurried from his cabin.
As I left his office, these words reverberated in my ears -