Comment Pieces

Unto death do we Bribe

They say that death transcends all material goods and pleasure.  Even today there is a common saying that one comes with nothing and leaves with nothing. In lieu of this, one might think that the ancient Egyptian practise of burying possessions from the person’s lifetime along with the body was rather purposeless even if the overall idea was that these would serve him well in the afterlife. However, we must acknowledge that we are and always will be attached to this material plane and all that comes with it.

With the growth of society into an organized whole over the centuries, the need for structure increased and with it came the requisite processes and documentation required to establish oneself as a contributing member of civil society.  While one may come with nothing into this world, the first thing one need however, when one does is the critical Birth Certificate, a document that to validates one’s existence in society. It is the same at the time of Death. The departure of any individual is made official with a piece of paper titled the Death Certificate.

This process of issuing Death and Birth certificates was introduced around 1837 in the United Kingdom.  Though no penalty was issued at failing to register the documents, the processes that evolved ensured that procuring these documents was viewed as quite vital, and they slowly  came to be mandatory for every individual to possess them.

Though a birth is a joyous occasion, the urgency of the certificate in this case, does not seem very pressing. But it is in the event of a death of a loved one that the procuring of the Death certificate is felt as more pressing in order.  People urge to seal all ties that the person had with the world whilst alive. Things like their bank accounts, mutual funds, pensions etc.   But procuring a Death certificate is critical as it inhibits the effective legal and authorised closure of all transactions the person had when still alive (bank accounts, investments, pensions etc. ), and in some cases it is also  a pre-requisite for the  last rites as well. This point is not lost on our de-sensitised Government officials who have decided to capitalize on the helplessness of individuals to line their already deep pockets. Therefore, the dark bribe shadow has fallen upon our final journey as well, depriving human beings of basic peace and dignity at a moment when they need assistance and not harassment.  This is not to say that Birth certificates are exempt from bribes but the frequency and amount seen when handling Death Certificates is much higher.

In India, for a Hindu cremation the individuals are not allowed to enter the crematorium after the initial burning of the person’s body without an official death certificate issued by the local municipal authorities. The inability to collect the remaining ashes and bones from the crematorium create a roadblock for the daily functions that follow this ceremony for the next 13 days. Authorities are well aware of this and exploit individuals who come to the Municipal offices for procuring the Death Certificate.

No matter how much care is taken to have the right documents, the right number of copies, extra copies etc., inevitably there are last minute problems the minute an individual reaches the municipal office.

“He gave us the forms to fill out and collected the "service fee" and our cell number. “-Chennai

”The clerk responsible for Registering for death certificates gave his number and when I  called, he kept on postponing till the time he said "the matter can be settled immediately if you want"

 - Chennai

“Apart from Cooper fees, they took a bribe from me to freeze the body - 2 hours after I had a death in my family”- Mumbai

“According to the official at the Hebbal Office, even after 10 days of waiting the file had not come back, so I had to pay a bribe of Rs.300 to get the file from the MG Road HO”- Bangalore

The quotes above are from the Bribe Reports on the ipaidabribe.com website.   While, the amounts asked for vary from as much as Rupees 300 to as little as Rupees 35, this is an ugly reminder of how even death has no dignity accorded to it.  To put an already grief stricken family through further discomfort is callous to say the least.  If you feel that it is only ordinary individuals who have to go through this trauma, think again. . Instances of higher bribes being asked from family members of retired army personnel and retired government officials have been also reported.

“I had recently read in the paper and found out the exact cost for death certificates. When I had approached the Birth & Death registration office at Shanthi Nagar Range office of BBMP Bangalore I was told the official charge per copy of the certificate was Rs.50/- and I applied for 10 originals & paid Rs.500/-. They asked me to come after 1 week & I received the 10 original death certificates but even worse is the fact that I am a doctor & my mother of whose certificate I had applied for was also a retired Doctor of the same BBMP. If this is the plight for us what can be expected to others. There should have been a clear notification regarding the rates BBMP charges for these certificates. After reading the paper I realized that the 1st copy is free, next copy Rs. 50/- and subsequent copies Rs. 10/- that would be 0+50+ (10X8) =130/- for 10 copies.”

• Ipaidabribe.com