The Brew News Impact: 4 customs officers of Jaipur Airport have been transferred by the department, who harassed Dubai-based NRI Vasu Shroff over a 10-year-old personal Rolex watch.

Jaipur/Dubai: The Brew News’ impactful reporting has led to swift consequences at Jaipur International Airport. Following the harassment of renowned Dubai-based NRI Vasu Shroff, four Jaipur Airport Customs officers involved have been transferred. The Jaipur Airport Customs controversy erupted after Shroff, an 84-year-old Regal Group Chairman and Pravasi Bharatiya Samman awardee, was detained for over four hours on April 11 over a decade-old personal Rolex watch he had openly declared.

The officers — Rajiv Kumar Singh, Prem Raj Meena, Shankar Raman BP, and RK Meena — have been reassigned across different departments in Rajasthan. This decisive action by the customs department came after The Brew News exposed the incident, prompting a flurry of follow-ups from other media houses.

Assistant Commissioner Rajiv Kumar Singh transferred to ICD (Inland Container Department) Kota & Bhilwara. Assistant Commissioner Prem Raj Meena transferred to ICDDhankya, Jaipur. Assistant Commissioner Shankar Raman BP transferred to the Jaipur Gemstone Exchange. Assistant Commissioner RK Meena transferred to ICD Alwar & Bhiwadi.

Shroff’s lawyer, Dharmendra Singh, confirmed from Jaipur that the Customs Commissioner assured them of strong departmental action. “Today morning we received the news,” he stated. Reacting to the news, Vasu Shroff welcomed the move but stressed, “It is just the first step. There must be system reforms to ensure NRIs are not harassed when returning to their motherland.”

Several Indian political leaders also issued statements, expressing concern over The Brew News report.

The incident starkly contradicts a Delhi High Court ruling, which protects NRIs from arbitrary checks over personal belongings like jewellery and inherited items. The court had examined over 30 similar harassment cases before issuing clear guidelines.

Dubai-based NRI Chandrashekhar Bhatia echoed the sentiment, saying, “Despite the Delhi High Court ruling, harassment continued. This action sends a strong message. It’s time for real reform to ease NRI arrivals.”

The Jaipur Airport Customs controversy underlines a broader demand for transparency and respect for travellers, especially NRIs, arriving back home.