- Bribe Hotline
- 12 years ago
- 1743 views
Pay bribe, or suffer...Choice is yours!
This is regarding the Passport verification process after applying for a Passport. I applied for the Passport under Tatkal scheme. Firstly, I had to make multiple visits to the Regional Passport office as our great Passport system is also a partner in crime to a large extent. After having a constant fight with myself for not paying a bribe to any agents and pimps, I finally got the passport. But this relief of finally getting the Passport was too shortlived as I had too confront the Police verification process that happens after the delivery of Passport in Tatkal cases. One fine day after 2-3 weeks of receipt of my Passport I got a call from the area Police station of my residence in Agra. Firstly, the Police officer instead of coming to my residence for verification asked me to come to the Police station along with some documents (which is nowhere mentioned on any of the goverment passport ********** portals). Finally, being just another common man and a law abiding citizen, I went along with all necessary documents only to find that the Police officer who called me was not available as after so much hard work(pun intended!), he went out for having "CHAI(Tea)". After waiting for almost half an hour, there he arrives cleaning his face and washing his hands. Then he struggled to find the 'Passport applications register' and had his "gutka". Finally, he spoke and asked for the documents and I handed over the same to him. He checked the documents, then asked me to get some 'form' photostated as they had run out of them which were then found in some other files. He got my signatures on 2 forms and then to my surprise straight away asked for Rs. 1000. I asked him why did he ask for Rs. 1000 as there is no fee for verification and moreover its his job. He said - "Arey yeh toh lagta hi hai...sab dete hain. Yeh to ********** ki baat hai". I refused to give the bribe. But my father who was accompanying me still gave him Rs. 300 to which he refused first saying that it was not enough but kept the same. Then he asked us to send another Rs. 400 to total the bribe amount to Rs. 700. Believe you me, its was a generous concession from Rs. 1000 to Rs. 700. We would have done some good work for God to have this privilege. Post this I got seriously ********** off and left for home. The story doesn't end here... After a week we received another call from the same Police Officer. I was not home so the call was attended by my aunt who told me that the officer was asking for me to visit the Police station again as my verification is not complete and he has not sent his report to the Regional Passport Office. By now everyone reading this would have understood why my report has not been sent and what intentions this officer have for future. I am deeply saddened and agitated by such state of affairs at UP Police stations. I just don't know what to do? Tired of all this, I know I will have to go to that Police officer again and pay him the remaining Rs. 700 or my passport will get impounded on false reports of that Police officer.
Sad but true - the law savers are the biggest law breakers in world's largest democracy - India.
*I apologize to all those who are reading this or have already read my story for writing such a long one but had no choice but to vent out my frustration on a ********** like this hoping this might bring some change.