Mumbai Traffic Police — Corruption

Address:	Mumbai City, Maharashtra, 400094
Website:	trafficpolicemumbai.maharashtra.gov.in

We all are united towards the noble cause of eradicating corruption, but lets be honest, there are occasions when we decide to pay that constable a bribe rather than loosing our licence to them. Who wants to visit the traffic police station filled with corrupt rude and disrespectful people with government uniforms. Majority o[censored]s are also aware about the charges for common offences, but somehow the constables who stop you will ALWAYS quote something completely irrelevant and 10 times the actual charge. Such perfect presentation leaves the common motorist with two options, either pay the bribe and walk away or pay the higher amount and also loose your licence. Rather than standing by the right side, most o[censored]s decide to feed the hungry constables.
On 15th of October 2016, I was riding home from work, exiting the eastern express highway onto the Ghatkopar-Mankhurd link road (Jeejabai Bhosale Marg). Being low on fuel, i decided to join onto the freeway from under the flyover. i made the decision as it cut shorts about 1.5 km to reach the nearest fuel station. However, I was wrong and was aware of this fact too. It was riding at a maximum of 50 kmph. As I was merging from the entry ramp, i was signaled to stop by two constables. I indicated, rode onto the marked safe side and parked behind them.I had my helmet on, along with my riding gloves. And was carrying all my documents.
Before you question, yes I was in the wrong to take the freeway. I was asked the same by the constable, I explained the situation, admitting to the wrong, And was very polite and respectful . I was then asked to produce my licence. Which i did without hesitation, but from previous experiences, I knew it was a start of MONEY EXTRACTION. I proactively informed them, that my father is in the Government Services and that I reside not very far away. I was then educated how difficult it is to get a job in government services, and how I should thank my dad for gifting me this bike and my clothes. Additionally I was asked to be more careful while riding. To which i nodded and agreed to. They also added that the fine would be Rs.1200, and I'l[ have to submit my licence. I apologized again, asking to be left without a charge. I was then asked to pay a bribe, which I refused to. The constable asked me to pay the bribe about 20 times in 20 different ways, even commenting "you are dressed well and riding a new bike, you should have atleast 100-200 in your wallet". I refused all of the 20 times. At this, i knew the inevitable was coming. So after a little more discussion, I looked the other way while i was being charged. They took about 2 minutes, with the other constable continuously nagging "187..., 187..., ..." and some other things in Marathi. When handed over the receipt, I quietly folded it and rode off.
On my way home and after fueling up, I visited a local traffic police beat and referred to a chart of fines. I quickly learned I was charged Rs.1200, a 200 rupee charge(174RRR) for riding on the wrong side/wrong road and a 1000 rupee charge(184MA) for rash/rough riding. RASH RIDING. For once, a charge of irresponsible riding would have come slightly close.

After a moment of thought, I laughed to myself, feeling amused how tricky the constables were. I can never allow myself to pay a bribe, even though i ended up paying 1000 more than what i could have gotten away with.

I agree its a difficult job to stand in the sun monitoring traffic. Gets worse when its raining for months. Or when manual labor is required to keep the traffic moving. But being charged for something that you have not done! What a shame! Just recently the fines were increased too! Its a great thought to increase fines for offences, but what misses is a regulatory body to monitor the charges being made. but who has time for that, or maybe corruption has seeped so deep into the roots that India can never see a positive change.

Please share if you have come across a similar incident. Make others aware of the same too. Let us truly devote ourselves to eradicate corruption.