Of course, there is no threat of detection from the airport and airline authorities and police because the business thrives allegedly with their consent and often, participation as well.

So, when Jet Airways Customer Services Manager M K Shetty recently created a ruckus after nabbing three touts who robbed a Kochi-bound passenger, K A Mohan, of 10 Bahrain dinars (approximately Rs 1,200) for carrying excess baggage, he was `just cribbing about nothing'.

Mohan had alighted at the Sahar airport after a three-hour Gulf Air flight from Bahrain, and couldn't wait to catch the AirportsAuthority of India (AAI) free shuttle service to the domestic terminal at Santacruz. Hence, when a taxi driver offered to ferry him there (about five km away) for Rs 400 instead, he agreed, since the shuttle was delayed. After all, the cabbie had convinced him that the taxi service was under contract with Jet Airways and also promised to hand over a receipt.

While his luggage was being offloaded from the cab at Santacruz, three men posing as AAI officials approached Mohan and ordered him to pay 10 dinars as a penalty for carrying excess baggage. Mohan protested but finally paid the amount - which was later allegedly divided according to a fixed percentage among the waiting police and airline officials and AAI staff.

Apart from the `excess baggage penalty' racket, gangs comprising taxi and autorickshaw drivers also `slap penalties' ranging between Rs 500 and Rs 1,500 (depending on the foreign currency) for imported goods which may have already been cleared by Customs.

Mohan is but one of countless naivevictims who fall prey to touts operating right outside the airport manager's office. But officials say there is little they can do to blow the whistle on the rackets.

A senior airport official, who admits that touts have a free run at both airports, blames ``obliging passengers'' for the menace. ``We are aware that some unscrupulous private taxi and rickshaw drivers operate here, but it is basically the passengers who patronise them by not waiting a few minutes for the airport coach to arrive,'' he explains. Moreover, he adds, boards have been erected in the airport premises in English and several Indian languages warning passengers of the touts' menace. ``Why can't passengers heed these warnings,'' he asks. Most passengers avoid lodging complaints since the tedious formalities involved in filing an FIR would surely mean missing their connecting flights. On the other hand, whenever drivers are questioned, they claim they are at the airport either to receive or drop off passengers, the officialadded.

Explains Rakesh Arora, proprietor of Patel Luxury Travels and the Mumbai secretary of the Bharatiya Rajiv Congress: ``Look, everybody comes to Mumbai to earn money. So, you see, everyone has to be kept happy to remain in business.''

Adds M K Shetty: ``I have personally caught several touts red-handed and repeatedly urged the airport manager and police to be alert, but the touts are back in business within hours... it's an organised racket.''

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Airport Zone), S T Bodkhe, passes the buck to the AAI. ``The entire airport management including the maintainence of proper passenger facilities is the job of the AAI. Many policemen who are present when such incidents take place are from airport security and do not have the jurisdiction to interfere,'' Bodkhe told Newsline. Moreover, no action is taken as such matters are never reported, he explains. ``However, I shall take up the issue during the next meeting of the Passenger Facilitation Committee headed by the airportdirector,'' he adds.

On October 24, Manoj Singh, a rickshaw driver, and his associate, Deviprasad Pande, were arrested for fleecing a couple of Rs 500. Verghese Joseph and his wife had arrived from Chennai and hailed the rickshaw to go to Chembur.

Singh and Pande told them they would pay the money at the traffic police checkpost near the car park and get the pre-paid service receipt. The unsuspecting couple shelled out the amount, but the duo did not return. They were arrested when they came back to the airport after three hours.``If Joseph had not registered a complaint, Singh and Pande would have gone scot free,'' Bodkhe points out.