FIRM'S EXIT LAYS BARE CORRUPTION CRISIS IN INDIA

Move reignites debate over official extortion, political hypocrisy, and public fatigue

- BY SWATI CHATURVEDI | Special to Gulf News

Indian social media was lit up bright red with rage after Wintrack, a cargo and logistics firm, announced on social media that it was ceasing all operations in India because of bribes demanded by Customs officials in Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu.

The company alleged that it faced harassment and bribery demands after exposing two attempts at extortion by Customs officials. It said that the retaliation crippled its business and was forcing it to shut operations from October 1.

Unusually, Wintrack's Chief Executive Officer Prawin Ganeshan did not back down after Customs issued a threatening rebuttal to the social media post. Instead, he gave interviews naming officials.