Cops feel the pinch, look for ‘cheapest’ air tickets to deport arrested foreigners

For most of these journeys, with the diplomatic urgency involved, the police personnel end up paying from their own pockets.

This year, 13 foreign nationals were deported on air tickets that were paid for from the salary of police inspectors. Although the amount is reimbursed in most cases, the process of getting the ticket dues cleared can take at least six months.

“Our instructions are clear —to look for the cheapest tickets available,” said Suhas Gokhale, senior police inspector of the Azad Maidan unit of the anti narcotics cell.

Gokhale had funded the deportation of three foreigners back to Nigeria in March this year. Having already identified Nigerian and Ethopian Airlines as those with the ‘most affordable’ flight, police officers have said they refer to sites such as Yatra.com and Makemytrip.com to compare fares.

“We are not inclined to spend a lot for these trips,” Gokhlale added.“We receive an annual deportation grant of Rs 15 lakh from the state government and almost instantly forward it to the bank accounts of the officers who need to be reimbursed”, said a police inspector with the Special Branch II.

The six-month wait, however, can be tough on police personnel, admit senior officers.

Before the tickets are purchased, the police contact the consulate concerned. A statement that usually reads “(name of the foreigner) is a (the nationality) and is prohibited immigration therefore liable for repatriation,” is issued by the consulate .

In one instance, three tickets with Kenyan Airlines to Loas on March 24 this year were booked by a policeman using his debit card. At the beginning of the financial year, with investments to make, he was already pegged back by Rs 89,000 .

Although the fares selected are to be considered the lowest, some police officers have said even the “cheapest tickets are steep” for them.

rohit.alok@expressindia.com