• I Paid A Bribe
  • 13 years ago
  • 3471 views

Did you bargain?

Reported on April 28, 2011 from Tiruvannamalai , Tamil Nadu  ι Report #8894

"Did you bargain?" asked my waiting rickshaw driver as I returned from the Foreigners Registration Office. "Bargain?", I said naively, "This is a police department!".
But it turned out he was right. There was not supposed to be any charge for registering as a foreigner beyond the 180 days allowed by the Govt. But the official had asked me for $150.00. I had paid, it unknowing that it was purely a bribe and that he was extracting this and more from many unsuspecting foreigners registering at this District "Police" office.
The fellow was later promoted, but he has now recently returned to the same position! It is probably more lucrative!

What is your reaction after reading this report?