- I Paid A Bribe
- 14 years ago
- 317 views
A traffic policeman in Mumbai forced me to pay a bribe
- Police
- Traffic Violations
- Paid INR 100
At a traffic light in Mumbai, between Ghatkopar and Govandi, I went through a green light and the traffic slowed to a snail's pace before I could clear the junction. The light turned yellow and then red, and, had I stopped, my car would have blocked the road. So I went through. A traffic cop stopped me. I explained my position and said that, though I had committed no offence, I was completely willing to the fine. The cop said that he would not take a fine and instead threatened to take away my license. Since I do not stay in Mumbai this would have caused me enormous inconvenience. The policeman saw my plight and asked me twice: "Tell me how I can help you." I finally slipped a hundred rupee note into his hand and he allowed me to leave. What is more shocking than this act of corruption is that the policeman did not even ask to see my driver's license: he was merely interested in getting his bribe. He could not care less had I been driving without a license, or even if I had been a terrorist in a hurry to get away.