Faking Authority
The fake bail bond scam that was recently unearthed in Mumbai seems like a story straight out of a Bollywood/Hollywood movie. A gang of crafty and conniving individuals posing as powerful government servants, throwing their weight around by conning unsuspecting citizens. This incident throws light on the gross misuse of power that a position in the public office begets. 27 Railway police officials have been accused of creating and running a fake court. This ‘court’ backed by a magistrate would prosecute and fine offenders for illegally crossing railway tracks. The entire fiasco took place right under the RPF’s nose and none of the defaulters doubted the credibility of the ‘officials’.
This incident testifies the fear of government officials and police that has consumed the general public. They are habituated to obey norms formulated to maintain law and order which prevents them from questioning the authority of these so called watchdogs. The citizens fail to do this as they are equally guilty of committing an offence, thus inhibiting them from questioning the position of the officials and the offence they have been arrested for.
There is a thin line demarcating a public institution from being legitimate or otherwise. The public obviously fails to see the difference, especially when the conmen belong to genuine institution, in this case the Railway Police Force. This scam reminds us of the group of criminals who posed as Income Tax sleuths and raided a famous jewellery store in Mumbai. Call it a strange co-incidence if you may, a movie based on this very scam will soon be released, at a time when a similar incident has taken place.