- I Paid A Bribe
- 13 years ago
- 1670 views
Highway robbery - by the cops!
- Police
- Filing FIR
- Paid INR 200
My wife and I (British) hired a bike to get around Goa whilst holidaying in this wonderful country.
We were pulled over for, supposedly, not wearing a helmet (like most Goans). The truth is because we were visibly foreigners.
Two scowling 'policemen' told us to pull over and informed me that we would have to pay an official fine (involving paperwork) unless an alternative solution could be found. We had broken the law and we knew this. So to avoid the paperwork I offered them a couple of Christmas presents for their families. 100 rupees each. (It was nearly Christmas).
Their scowls turned to smiles and they suddenly became the friendliest and most helpful policemen I have ever encountered.
Further down the road we saw a couple of other white people being targeted by the police for committing a crime that apparently every Goan gets away with!
I found the whole experience rather exciting to be honest. But I should be clear - we were in the wrong in the first place! Sadly though, it seems that Goa's police are making a mint out of tourist bribes. Thus, denting the industry that is that state's very lifeblood.
Terrible to hear the ways in which others are being ruthlessly hounded for money even though they've committed no crime.
But remember Indians: while it does reflect badly on your country, no country on Earth is without problems. I personally love India and its people.