- साहसी नागरिक
- 14 years ago
- 1625 दर्शनों की संख्या
I did not want to pay a bribe
I am very happy that Govt.of Tamil Nadu has launched the e –challan system for traffic violations, on 29 Jun 11. The same day evening I had an interesting experience. In the evening hours with rush of traffic , while I was coming from ********** Nagar towards my residence, in a traffic junction, seeing many vehicles in front taking left turn, presuming that it was “ free left turn junction” , I also proceeded. Promptly , a Police man directed me to the side near an Inspector with a e –Challan kit. As I was behind another person being challaned, I had to wait and watch. The accused was a call taxi driver and the Inspector was asking questions and making entries in his hand-held electronic device. When the driver could not produce his driver’s license, the Inspector told him to stand aside. Coming to me, the Inspector asked me to give a fine of Rs 50 for “Signal violation”. I immediately gave him Rs 50 and he asked to sign in the place provided in the device. I was also happy to receive a receipt. Collecting the receipt, I took out my car and started driving. In the next junction, as there was red signal with lot of traffic moving the other side, I just started recollecting the happenings with the Inspector. I was just wondering how he did not ask even my name and driving license, as he was doing for the call taxi driver before me. I took out the receipt and was shocked to see in it some details of a call taxi, the taxi number and the driver’s name, but not address etc. I also saw my signature. By then I might have travelled a Km. Proceeding further without getting corrective action done on the receipt, would mean that “I have not committed any traffic violation as my name does not figure in the receipt” and also “I have paid a bribe of Rs 50”. I did not want to pay a bribe. I took a U-turn at the next appropriate location, and reached the same spot where I was e-challaned. Before I could speak to the Inspector, the constables tried to convince me that there was nothing to bother about. Then I could talk to the Inspector and showed him the” false receipt”. He then asked me to produce my driving license, verified all my details, prepared a fresh receipt and gave me. I happily drove the vehicle with sigh of relief!