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Didn’t Know Carrying Old Notes Would Invite Trouble, Says NRI

“I was made to sit for 3 hours by the customs officers at IGI for carrying Rs 75,000 in old notes,” says an NRI.

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My friend and I were made to sit in a room for 3 hours by the customs officers at the IGI airport in Delhi for carrying Rs 75,000 in old notes. Around 20-25 people were sitting in the room for carrying old notes too. I wasn’t asked any questions about the source of the funds. 
Narendra Joshi, NRI

Narendra Joshi, a Non-Resident Indian (NRI) who holds an Indian passport, was held with his friend by customs officers at the Indira Gandhi International Airport for carrying Rs 75,000 in old notes. Joshi had flown in from Washington DC. Jasbir Singh Saini, an American Passport holder, had flown in from Boston. Both had come to India to attend Pravasi Haryana Divas, completely unaware of the obstacles they would be have to face for carrying merely Rs 75,000 in old notes.

A customs official told The Quint that they have been given instructions to deny entry to any NRI carrying above Rs 25,000 in old notes.

Joshi says that he didn’t deposit old notes in the banks when he last visited India on 9 November. This time, he was carrying around Rs 30,000 in old notes for some friends, which he would hand over to their family members in India. The rest of the money belonged to a friend who was visiting India after 5 years.

The RBI’s press release dated 31 December 2016 stated that an NRI can make a one-time deposit in the central bank in the new year.

They (NRIs) can avail of this facility in their individual capacity once in the period between 2 Jan- 30 June 2017 on submission of ID documents, such as Aadhaar number, Permanent Account Number (PAN) etc, and on submission of documentary evidence showing they were abroad during the period.

Joshi wasn’t aware of this ruling when he came to India in November.

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‘I Was Told to Collect Money From the Court’ Says Joshi

When he was detained at the IGI Airport for 3 hours, Joshi was made to fill forms seeking his personal details by the customs officials.

I told customs officials to trash my money but they didn’t listen to me. I am in India for 4 days and don’t have time to go to the court. I don’t know what to do. 
Narendra Joshi, NRI

The customs officials also told Joshi to consult a lawyer for further assistance, instead of questioning him on the spot. They said that Indian passport holders and NRIs are only allowed to carry Rs 25,000 in old notes. For any amount larger than this, they have to explain the source of the money in court.

Demonetisation is like an albatross still hanging around many individuals’ necks. Ironically, people who choose to convert old notes legally are the ones who suffer, rather than those who skirt the law.

Video Editor: Mohd Irshad Alam

(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)

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Topics:  RBI   Haryana   NRI 

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