**Chennai Customs Faces Allegations of Corruption and Harassment from Multiple Sources**
_Chennai:_ Following corruption allegations leveled by the owner of Wintrack Inc against Chennai Customs, several individuals have come forward accusing customs officials of harassment and bribery demands.
A social media user, Venkatesh Alla, shared claims made by his acquaintance regarding a businessman who allegedly paid a bribe to a Chennai Customs official. Alla posted screenshots showing a payment of Rs 47,000 made by the businessman to a man named Gunalan Venkatesam. The evidence was sent to Alla by another individual, Udhaya Sambath.
Sambath revealed that his businessman friend, who runs a company in Tamil Nadu, was compelled to pay Rs 47,000 in bribe to Chennai Customs for the release of a consignment. Disturbed by the incident, his friend reportedly relocated his business to Bangalore to avoid further harassment.
In a separate incident shared with Alla, a man named Ram described how a customs official demanded a bribe when he was carrying an expensive laptop. Ram also recounted similar harassment faced by his friend at an airport. Additionally, Ram narrated the experience of an American traveler who was allegedly forced to pay a bribe due to wearing jewelry.
Alla has now called upon others who have faced bribery or corruption at Customs to come forward. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), he wrote:
> “Attention Impex businesses in India/anyone, if you’ve faced bribery or corruption in Customs, bring it out here on X. Share snapshots of chats, communications, or payment proofs (if any). If you fear posting from your own handle, DM me, I’ll expose them. Enough hiding, it’s time to call them out.”
**Government Response and Investigation**
In response to the mounting allegations, the Finance Ministry has instructed the Department of Revenue (DoR) to conduct a fair, transparent, and fact-based inquiry into the matter. The ministry emphasized that the issue is being treated “with utmost seriousness.”
A statement posted on X by the Finance Ministry reiterated the government’s commitment to taking appropriate and expeditious action in line with the law, while also striving to enhance the ease of doing business in India.
**Wintrack Inc Announces Closure of Import/Export Activities**
Wintrack Inc had earlier announced on Wednesday that it would “cease import/export activities in India” from October 1, 2025, citing continuous harassment by Chennai Customs officials over the past 45 days.
In its post, Wintrack Inc alleged that after the company exposed bribery practices involving Chennai Customs twice this year, officials retaliated by obstructing their operations, effectively crippling the business.
The company’s message on X read:
> “From October 1, 2025, our company will cease import/export activities in India. For the past 45 days, Chennai Customs officials have relentlessly harassed us. After exposing their bribery practices twice this year, they retaliated, effectively crippling our operations and destroying our business in India. We deeply thank everyone who has supported us during these difficult times.”
On Thursday, Wintrack Inc’s founder, Prawin Ganeshan, posted a video detailing the sequence of events that led to the company’s decision to shut down its import/export activities. In his message, he urged the public to unite to eradicate corruption, especially on Gandhi Jayanti.
His post stated:
> “I will stay alive, I will survive, never give up. On this Gandhi Jayanti, let’s all join together to reduce and abolish corrupt hands. I have lost my health, endured stress, but still have a little left.”
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The ongoing allegations against Chennai Customs and the responses from affected parties highlight urgent concerns over corruption and the need for transparency within India’s customs processes. The government-led inquiry is expected to shed more light on these claims in the coming weeks.
https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/moved-business-to-bangalore-instead-of-fighting-bizman-claims-to-have-paid-47000-bribe-to-chennai-customs-amid-wintracks-allegations