- I Paid A Bribe
- 11 years ago
- 857 views
I was riding my bike to work today at about 12 p.m. when I was stopped…
- Police
- Traffic Violations
- Paid INR 120
I was riding my bike to work today at about 12 p.m. when I was stopped by the civil police at the Aarey junction entrance (where the old toll booth was) at the Goregaon end. It was a routine checking, and I had my helmet on.
I was asked to show them my papers and I produced everything they needed including a valid PUC, my registration and insurance. Then the cop on duty asked me for my registration card, which I told him I didn't have, as I've never carried it around, since the registration document has always been enough. I have been stopped for checks hundreds of times, and the registration document has always been more than enough. He started telling me that the bike was stolen because they couldn't validate the chassis number and engine number. I showed him the insurance document with both the chassis and engine numbers on it, but he kept insisting that would not do. They harassed me to pay them Rs. 500, but I had no money on me.
Then they took me to their van and made me wait while the cop took my details, which I gave him. I kept telling him that I've never ever been asked to show the original registration card, because the bike number is on the RC copy, but he kept insisting that I had to pay because the engine and chassis number could not be verified. Finally, he told me to pay the minimum fine of Rs. 110. I was so frustrated by this point, because thy'd already made me late for work, that I went to an ATM, withdrew Rs. 200 and went back and gave it to them. He gave me a receipt for Rs. 100, and when I asked for the remaining money back, he gave me Rs. 80 back saying he did not have the extra Rs. 10 to give me.
I am sick and tired of having to pay, even when I am in the right and have all the necessary papers with me. To date, I have not met an honest traffic cop, and they have the gall to behave like they're taking mercy on you by making you pay them less. I didn't take the cops names or numbers, which, in retrospect, I should have done. I was just so frustrated and just wanted to get to work on time. For officers whose duty it is to 'protect and serve', these guys do the worst possible job.
I will hold on to the receipt I was given, in the hope that something will be done about this incident. I don't care if I get the money back or not, because it was a small amount, but I want to see these officers punished for harassing honest, everyday citizens.