Wintrack vs Chennai Customs: Bribery Allegations and the Dark Side of Doing Business in India

Chennai-based logistics firm Wintrack has ceased Indian operations, alleging repeated bribery demands and harassment by Chennai Customs, exposing corruption at India’s ports.

CEO Prawin Ganeshan recounts containers seized on flimsy grounds, shipments held for weeks, and demands for bribes totaling lakhs of rupees. Despite recording evidence and exposing officers publicly, harassment persisted, forcing Wintrack to shut operations on October 1, 2025.

The Grease of Doing Business
While India promotes the “Ease of Doing Business,” Wintrack’s saga shows a grim reality: companies often face extortion disguised as routine inspections. Even modest shipments drew disproportionate demands, while attempts to bypass officials failed.

Courage Amid Harassment
Ganeshan endured stress, hospitalisation, and financial losses while confronting officers. He even created new entities to continue shipments, but persistent bribery demands forced him to stop operations entirely.

Customs Response & Investigation
Chennai Customs has dismissed claims as “false and calculated,” citing misdeclarations. The Finance Ministry has deputed a senior officer to investigate, amid growing social media support for Wintrack.

A Broader Pattern
Wintrack’s ordeal echoes past corruption cases: Delhi officers in 2015, Mumbai customs arrests in 2023, and other exporters facing bribe-linked shutdowns. According to Transparency International, India’s trade facilitation suffers from elite capture, despite reforms.

Impact on Economy and Investors
Wintrack’s exit is a warning to startups and investors: India’s ports remain choke points where integrity is scarce. Beyond business losses, corruption takes a human toll, with layoffs and disrupted supply chains.

Conclusion
Wintrack’s story is more than a company shutdown—it’s a stark reminder that corruption can derail India’s growth ambitions. For India to reach its $5 trillion economy goal, customs corridors must become gateways, not gauntlets of graft.