Never argue with an Immigration Officer!

anar

That's the lesson I am learning. I left for Europe in June and the Immigration Officer decided I needed a Clearance Certificate. I had checked beforehand and I let him know that this was not the case. Then he decided I didn't have my old passport on me so I could not be allowed to travel. I answered with less politeness each time and when he said my Registration Certificate (RC) did not have a stamp from the Foreigner's Registration Office (FRO), I almost exploded as I showed him where the stamp was. I also asked him to consult his superior since he didn't seem to know what he was doing (I suspected he was angling for 'baksheesh' but there was no chance he was getting any out of me). This he went and did and when he returned, I was given a stamp in my passport, my RC was held on to (as is normal procedure - this is given back to me on my return to India) and I went on to catch my flight.
The trouble began when I returned - I was told my RC had not been returned to the FRO by the Airport Immigration Officers - that it's 'lost'. I have had to apply for a duplicate - I have no idea when this will come through.
It's just as well I don't need to travel abroad frequently - but what if I did? What is it with this RC business? Why do they have to hold on to it? Why can't I just travel with it? Does anyone know more about this? I bet the disgruntled officer at the airport had a part to play in my RC getting lost but would it make sense in pursuing this any further (I don't even know his name)? I just wondered if others had been through similar aggravation.