India
Delhi Airport Authorities Probe Claim of Unauthorized Passport Scanning at Duty-Free Store
By Hadi Khan
Airport officials at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport have launched an investigation after a US-based Indian couple accused staff at a duty-free shop of improperly scanning their family's passports, including those of their two young children. Pooja Tomarr Sikarwar detailed the incident in a video posted on Instagram, stating it occurred at Terminal 3 after her family arrived in Delhi from the United States. According to Sikarwar, one family member purchased a bottle of liquor at the first duty-free shop located after the immigration checkpoint. During the transaction, staff allegedly scanned the passports of all family members present, including those belonging to her nine-month-old baby and toddler. Sikarwar noted that only the passport of the person making the purchase should typically be scanned. When her husband questioned employees about why the additional passports were being scanned, staff reportedly explained they were checking for promotional offers. The couple raised broader concerns about the handling of passport information at the shop, questioning whether the practice could be connected to smuggling activities or the unauthorized use of travelers' personal data. Responding to the allegations on Instagram, airport authorities said they were taking the matter seriously. "Dear Pooja, We have taken serious note of this allegation. Any unauthorised or inappropriate handling or scanning of passengers' passports and personal information is a matter of serious concern and we would like to assure you that the matter will be thoroughly investigated," an airport official wrote in response to the post. The official added that if the allegations are substantiated, strict action would be taken against those responsible. Airport authorities requested that Sikarwar provide her contact information along with details of her travel and visit to the duty-free outlet so they could properly investigate the incident and gather further information directly from her.