Dry state: Surat Airport Customs caught in prohibition row

In a state renowned for its strict prohibition laws, Surat International Airport has landed in hot water over a controversial incident that critics claim undermines Gujarat's dry state policy.

- Melvyn Thomas

Customs officials at the airport reportedly allowed a passenger arriving on a Bangkok-Surat flight to bring in additional liquor bottles, imposing a hefty 275% duty on two liters of alcohol exceeding the permissible limit. However, in a glaring violation of the Bombay Prohibition Act, they failed to notify the Gujarat Police of the infraction.

The incident gained public attention when the passenger, identified as Suresh Savalia, shared the customs receipt on his Instagram reels. The post, which quickly went viral, warned travelers about the steep penalties for exceeding the legal limit of alcohol in Gujarat. What started as a cautionary tale for fellow passengers spiraled into a heated debate about the enforcement practices at Surat International Airport.