Traffic cops rip off IT professionals
By Rupsa Chakraborty
The more you earn, the more bribe you must pay – that is the unspoken rule laid down by corrupt cops.
An IT professional from Pune relates the harassment he experienced at the hands of a traffic cop. He was ordered to stop by police due to the number plate design on his bike. The cop demanded Rs 3,000 when he learnt the rider worked in an IT company http://www.ipaidabribe.com/bribe-central/tum-it-wale-itna-kamate-ho.
Another software professional who transported his bike from his home State Uttar Pradesh to Pune underwent quite an ordeal. He followed due procedures. He paid Rs 7,000 towards road tax and for changing the registration number of his bike. The new Maharastra registration number had not yet been allotted to him.
On one of his trips on the road, traffic cops stopped him and questioned him about the number plate. Despite producing all the documents in this connection, they were not convinced. One cop merely told him that since IT employees sat at office and earned much money, they ought to share some of it with `police uncle.’ Our respondent had to pay Rs 450 to the cop to get away from him.
These incidents are of particular concern since IT and allied services have grown by 35% during the last decade. Since non-payment of bribes would result in harassment and repeat visits to the station or court to retrieve one’s vehicle seized by the cops, most IT professionals prefer to pay up.
People's Voice
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Sayanti Ganguly, |
Roshan William, |
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Denzil Johnson Corda, |
Dipyaman Santra, |
I haven’t come across this kind of harassment by the traffic police officers. Well, people shouldn’t fall in this kind of traps and they should be able to fight back. I always cross question the officers if they try to put false allegations against me.
I have observed this when I worked in Bangalore some time ago. It is very common during morning hours when IT employees are rushing to work. Most of the time, officers would demand extra when they realise that you belong to the IT sector. It would be better if people accept the ticket issued for the fine to be paid as this helps in curbing corruption. India is in a horrible condition as the rescuer becomes the offender. Is it moral to charge a person based on his occupation?
This is very common in Sector V which is the IT hub of Kolkata. I have experienced this harassment once on my way to office. I didn’t notice the U-turn board and got caught by traffic police. First, he charged me Rs.100 but as soon as he got to know that I work in an IT firm, he charged me Rs. 1,000. I was getting late for office, so I had to pay the demanded amount.* Satyameva Jayate (Image) Courtesy: Official Website of Satyameve Jayate