- I Paid A Bribe
- 14 years ago
- 2316 views
No Pollution Bribe
- Police
- Traffic Violations
- Paid INR 300
So, me and wife were crossing Maharashtra on our way to Delhi from Bangalore. We reached Pune in our car in evening. I was waiting for the traffic light to turn green to proceed when a traffic police constable stopped me and asked for no pollution certificate. I was not aware that even a 1.5 year old car warranted a no pollution certificate. I told him so and told that we are on our way to Delhi and was not aware of any such rule. It was 8 in the night. He kept harassing us. Finally, I said ok, if I have broken any law I would pay the fine. I asked him how much is the fine for not carrying a no pollution certificate. The fine was Rs 1000/-. I said I will pay Rs 1000. But he did not agree and kept us waiting for an hour. I also got adamant that I will pay fine only and not bribe. But he was not relenting. Then we called our known in Army who were posted in Pune to help, as it was getting late in night and were tired driving all day. Few phone calls later, he bluntly asked me for Rs 300. I gave Rs 300/- because it was 2 hours standing on a traffic light, when all that we wanted was to get in to some hotel and rest for the night!
Strange it was when I as a citizen wanted to pay the fine but police did not want it.
I faced more harrasment till I crossed Maharashtra border and realized that Maharashtra police is one of the most corrupt and harssing one to vehicles of other states, even if they have all the documents in place.