An eyewitness told Express Newsline: ``When we heard a lot of noise coming form the ITDC godown, we rushed down. We saw some people breaking expensive liquor bottles. I could not bear the sight. I asked the officials if I could take three bottles. When the official nodded I picked three Black Label bottles and rushed out.''

Soon, the word spread and there was a near stampede for bottles. ``People rushed to the basement from all floors of the hotel. The customs officials had already destroyed 1,000-odd bottles. We did not let them destroy the rest. It is not everyday that one gets Scotch free,'' a Centaur hotel staffer said.

The Customs officials looked confused and did not know how to manage the situation. Vice-president of the duty-free shop in Delhi, Chandni Luthra said: ``The customs officials were destroying bottles that had been damaged in '93-94 when the warehouse had been flooded with rain water. According to customs regulations, we cannot sell damaged bottles at our duty free shops at the airport''.

She added that it was the duty of the officials to see that no one makes good with the bottles.