‘Privileges not above law’: Customs on Kashmiri scribe’s bag checking row

New Delhi, February 26

Bag scanning of international passengers is done routinely and the “privileges are not above law”, the Delhi customs said on Monday after a video by a Kashmiri journalist over her bag checking at the airport here went viral.

The response came after the journalist, Yana Mir, shared a video on X of her bag’s checking by the customs officials on arrival at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) airport.

“Bag scanning of international passengers is done routinely. While other paxs put their luggage inside the scanner without any fuss Ms Yana Mir felt needlessly offended. Staff remained courteous throughout. Privileges are not above law. Footage tells the story,” the Delhi Customs (Airport and General) said on X, in reply to Mir’s post.

The department also shared video footage in its reply supporting its claim.

“Ms Mir didn’t cooperate at all when requested to get her bags scanned. Her luggage was ultimately picked up by airline staff and Customs officer for scanning as seen in the footage,” it said.