- I Paid A Bribe
- 13 years ago
- 209 views
TIL people from ********** Pradesh aren't welcome in Maharashtra either.
- Police
- Traffic Violations
- Paid INR 1,400
I met a very old friend of mine after a gap of 10 years.I am resident in Mumbai for 20 years(originally from Pune),happened to ********** my friend ********** (my Classmate) in Mumbai.
We went for a nightout as he came late from ********** and I also return late from work.So he drove all the way from Malad to Thane(Where I stay) just to ********** me.We went to a Hotel in thane,had some coffee n chit-chat.Then he told that he would drop me home.We left the coffeshop at 1:30 A.M.(Oct,2nd).He got a pack of Ciggarate after much discovery.As I’m aversed to smoke fumes I told him to stop the car,step-out,smoke n then drive in.So we went to Upvan Lake in Thane.I along with ********** & his friend stepped out of the car & went along the side the Lake,n were chatting about old times of school.
After a while 2 Police Constables came near n asked what were we doing at 2 in the Night here.I explained the whole story to him succinctly but they insisted on searching the vehicle,to which we obliged.Then they enquired that who was on the wheel,and perused driving license of **********(my **********) & said that its issued from ********** Pradesh.
That was a plausible reason for constables to harass him.(Due to recent Political Disturbances In Maharashtra non-Marathi issue n all.)
since my ********** was from U.P. he(Constable) throughly checked all the papers pertaining to the car(such as R.C.Book,Insurance,P.U.C.Certificate etc.)
He kept the license of ********** in his pocket and told us to follow to a nearby Police Station.We agreed to it.As soon as we reached the Police station the constables asked us to be present before Station In-Charge(probably Sub-Inspector) who was “on-duty” & totally drunk.Started enquiring us with questions,who are U/where do u live/what r u doing here at this time etc.etc. I told him the whole thing but to no avail.He told us then wait till Monday we will produce you in Court.But as My-Maternal Uncle is a High Court Lawyer,I wasn’t afraid of his shenanigans.But then he could book us under any frivolous charge and lock us in Police Station for 2 days(Oct,2nd & Oct,3rd(sunday)).
So in order to ease the whole matter I asked the constable to come & discuss something with me.I tried to explain that we are all educated n from good families,n neither of us had consumed liquor that night but to no avail.
Then the constable asked us to Shell out Rs 3600/- (Rs.1200/-) each in order to let us go.I tried to explain that we couldn’t afford that much amount of money.And since all the while i was talking to him in Marathi,he told ,”OK,leave ur share and gimme Rs.2400/- for the rest of two.” Since I am a Marathi he was will to forgo my share of bribe.
But insisted that I get Rs.2400/- from those U.P.ites.
Obviously I felt very bad at the way Police was biased towards my friend just bcoz he was from ********** Pradesh.
ON THE OTHERSIDE ********** WAS QUIET AND ANSWERING IN YES & NO’s TO THE INSPECTOR.
Finally I paid Rs.1400/- bribe after hard convincing.
As soon as I paid the bribe I fled the scene !
But jate jate mujhe Constable ne Marathi mein bola ki,”kyunki tuh saath mein hai isiliye jaane de raha hoon, nahin to iss “Bhaiye”(A derogatory term used by marathis to refer to a Person from U.P./bihar) ko do din Lock up mein saarte rehta.”