• Bribe Fighter
• 14 years ago
• 1775 views

Had Paid the full fine amount even after following the Traffic police's instruction

• Police
• Activities on Beat

Year 2007, between March - July
Place: Raheja Arcade, Koramangala & Adugodi Police Quarters area

On a Saturday I and my friend on his bike went to Gramin restaurant, which is in Raheja Arcade. As we were very new to the city in riding bike having an idea that unlike small cities, we cannot park our bikes anywhere we want. Since we were not sure where to park, asked a traffic police who was probably doing his duty on the road in front of the building. He coolly pointed to a place where already about 20-25 bikes were parked. So, we parked at the end of the row and went for lunch. When we are back, to our surprise, only our bike was not there. Since the bike was new, only the idea of it being stolen was there. And of course that cannot be towed as being smart we asked the police and parked. We hurriedly ran to the nearest traffic post (in front of the ********** mall on the Hosur road). There was a different police and he said, it might have been towed and better to check on the ground near the Adugodi police quarters where all towed vehicles are dumped. We went there to find out that our smartness turned foolishness. We found the bike with the same police whose advice we borrowed. This is the reason why other bikes were not being towed. While arguing, when we said that he was the one who advised us to park there, he replied that what he has told was past and we have to pay the fine. After 10-15 mins of argument, with much anger and even more helplessness, I handed him 300 INR. He then to make us feel that he was doing a favor, returned me 100 INR and asked to go without the receipt. With the mixed feeling of anger and helplessness, I returned the 100 INR and asked for the receipt. This time even I had to lose 100 more, but at least that man also didn’t enjoy the free money.
After this I tried to file a complaint, called almost all the traffic police zones in Bangalore, but to listen that, this place was not in their zone and gave me another number to try. Couple of times I was laughed out when they hear that I want to complain against one of their fellow police men. I tried to follow this for 2 weeks till I landed on a IVR service which answered in Kannada (which I couldn't understand). I could have taken help of some of my Kannada speaking friends, but decided not to after 2 weeks of anger. (Don’t know why)