The Department of Law and (dis) Order
Ask any citizen which department is considered the most corrupt, and the police are sure to figure somewhere on the list. This impression is reinforced by the reports on ipaidabribe.com. 35.86 percent of all reports across India on ipaidabribe.com relate to the police – 3338 stories out of 9308. However, when we look at the break up of ‘paid’, ‘didn’t pay’ and ‘didn’t have to pay’ reports, it is clear that citizens who go to the police are more likely to end up paying bribes, as compared with their experience in other departments. Moreover, they are less likely to meet an honest cop who does not demand bribes in the police, than in other departments (Table 1).
“I went to the Khandsa road police station to register an F.I.R for a lost Admit Card, Police Inspector asked for a Teachers bottle as a bribe, then I bargained " sir, I am a student, can't afford that much", after pursuing him for half an hour we ended up at 200 bucks. But I lost my whole day and flunked in the exam next day.” Bribe Report/Police Station, ipaidabribe.com
This is a simple report but is dismal news indeed. The police are duty and honour bound to protect the interests of the people and the trust and belief placed in them runs high. To have to protect oneself against those meant to protect you results in a complete breakdown of faith in the system. To have to pay for services that are ours by right is extremely demoralizing and the numbers given below support this sad but true state of affairs in our country.
Table 1. Police corruption, India figures
|
I paid a bribe |
I didn’t pay a bribe |
I didn’t have to pay a bribe |
Total |
|||
Number |
Percent |
Number |
Percent |
Number |
Percent |
|
|
All stories |
8158 |
87.65 |
852 |
9.15 |
298 |
3.20 |
9308 |
Police related |
2978 |
89.22 |
275 |
8.24 |
85 |
2.55 |
3338 |
According to these numbers, the police in Bangalore seem to be slightly better than their counterparts in other states. Citizens are slightly more likely to meet an honest cop in Bangalore, than in the rest of India. Citizens in Bangalore also seem to be better off than those elsewhere, in successfully resisting police corruption on their own (Table 2).
Table 2. Police corruption, Bangalore data
|
I paid a bribe |
I didn’t pay a bribe |
I didn’t have to pay a bribe |
Total |
|||
Number |
Percent |
Number |
Percent |
Number |
Percent |
|
|
All stories |
2449 |
87.84 |
235 |
8.43 |
9308 |
3.73 |
2788 |
Police related |
769 |
87.89 |
82 |
9.37 |
3338 |
2.74 |
875 |
What are the transactions in respect of which people come to the police and what is the possibility of corruption in these circumstances? The breakup of instances of corruption in the police department are given in Table 3.
Table 3. Break up of Bribes
I paid a bribe |
I didn’t pay a bribe |
I didn’t have to pay a bribe |
Total |
|||||
Number |
% |
Number |
% |
Number |
% |
Number |
% |
|
Traffic violations |
323 |
84.33 |
49 |
12.79 |
11 |
2.87 |
383 |
49.8 |
Passport verification |
259 |
92.83 |
10 |
3.58 |
10 |
3.58 |
279 |
36.3 |
Filing of FIR |
60 |
89.55 |
7 |
10.45 |
0 |
0.00 |
67 |
8.7 |
Investigation of cases |
22 |
81.48 |
5 |
18.52 |
0 |
0.00 |
27 |
3.5 |
Activities on beat |
26 |
96.30 |
1 |
3.70 |
0 |
0.00 |
27 |
3.5 |
Others |
79 |
85.87 |
10 |
10.87 |
3 |
3.26 |
92 |
10.3 |
All stories |
769 |
87.89 |
82 |
9.37 |
24 |
2.74 |
875 |
___ |
As you can see, a predominant number of cases (86.1%) relating to the police in Bangalore pertain to cases of traffic violation and passport verification. However between the two, citizens are more likely to wriggle out of paying a bribe for a traffic violation, as compared to getting a passport verification. When it comes to traffic violations a policeman is also more likely to look the other way, or let off the offender with a warning. This might be because of two reasons. Traffic violation bribes are what we call ‘looking the other way’ payments. The demand for payment of bribes happens out in the open, where the transaction time is less.
“They caught me on my bike and asked for license and stuff...I had license but my bike insurance had expired. They said fine of Rs. 1000 to be paid. I was ok with it as I was quite motivated with entire Jan Lokpal rally and fasting done by ********** Hazare. Police said we won't fine you. You need to sit in police van and tomorrow morning we will hand you to the RTO who will fine you. I asked for a way out and that’s when they asked for a bribe. It’s like you don’t have a choice...of course in my case the choice I had was to be in the lockup for a night. Hated it so much.” Bribe Report/Traffic Violations, ipaidabribe.com
Therefore people either pay immediately, or create a fuss and the policeman decides that seeking a bribe is not worth it. Corruption in passport verification is more in the nature of ‘speed money’. It is also more systematically organized, with pre-determined rates and ‘standardized’ persuasive techniques being used. The police typically play upon the fact that the stakes are higher in the case of passport verification, and use it to their advantage. They hint at the possibility of delay in processing the application, which nearly always scares the victim enough to prompt him or her to cough up a bribe.
“Police visited me and asked for verification documents. On producing all the documents the Police man asked me to produce documents for my kid. When everything got verified, he questioned "what is the proof that my kid is mine". This was so ridiculous that my wife came to tears. When I denied it they rejected my application and left. I had to trace them, call them back and pay Rs. 2000 bribe as i was in need. I wish such corruption should be punished. Also the way they were talking to us was as if we are criminals.” Bribe Report/Passport Verification, ipaidabribe.com
There is no doubt that bribes in filing of FIRs, investigation of case or `activities on beat’ (an euphemism for ‘hafta’ payments from shops and other commercial establishments), are equally grave. The bad cops have an upper hand here; far fewer citizens are able to successfully resist their bribe demands as compared to traffic and passport related corruption. However, there are relatively far fewer number of cases being reported on these circumstances. This alone might not mean that bribe payments here are infrequent – it may be that traffic violations and passport verification cases tend to get reported in greater numbers, because the victims are more likely to be the kind of people who have regular access to the net.
For the average citizen, there is very little recourse. Speaking out is not a viable option because the `long arm of the law’ might acquire a completely different meaning altogether. So what does the police department have to say in its defense? Is there are solution in sight? Should our law enforcers continue to be law breakers as well?
Write in with your comments and experiences here.