He should have no problem taking a laptop, I expect over half the people on the flight will have them.

We travel via Mumbai a couple of times a year and have never been queried about our laptops but if he is stopped he only needs to say he is not importing it and it will be going home with him.

Should he be stopped by a cash hungry officer who wants to fine him, make a noisy protest and state loudly that he wants a receipt for any fine and a complaints form. That's always worked for my OH when bring in things that she shouldn't.

Thanks for that, I thought as much, but wanted to check with people on here who may have been.