Passport, Bribe and Gandhi Jayanti

It was 2nd October, 2011. All media channels were celebrating Gandhi Jayanti and debates were going on corruption issue; as Anna had just finished his hunger strike against Government for Jan Lokpal just a month ago.

I had applied for the Passport in the 1st week of September and the passport application had arrived at the local police station of my area to verify whether there are any criminal cases against me or not.

 

As it was holiday at office, I had taken a chance to finish all the formalities at Police station. In excitement for passport, I got ready early and dressed up well. 

 

I reached the police station at 10:00 AM. An elderly couple was at the desk for verification. After completing all the formalities, they gave Rs. 500 (bribe) under the table to the officer so that their form can be easily cleared. I was watching the complete scene from a little distance and was thinking about how I should react if I am asked a bribe. I have already taken all the original documents with 2 copies, enough to prove that I am resident of India and I have no criminal records in entire life. 

Now my turn... They reviewed all the documents. It was almost completed and officer is about to sign verification documents and........

Suddenly emergency call came from their central control room and, as many policemen were on holiday, officer had to attend this call. While leaving, he told me to come in the afternoon with a small advise "khichcha garam karun ya" which means ‘come along with money’. I acted as if I didn't understand anything and returned back home.  

In the afternoon, I again reached to police station. 2 policemen were seated verifying the documents. One was busy with the verification of documents and other was throwing question to me, like, since when you are staying in your apartment?, why have you applied for the passport?, are you planning to go abroad for further studies?, where are working currently?, what is your salary?...... 

After giving all answers, they reminded me for the money (bribe) that they had asked me in the morning. I had already set my mind not to give any bribe to anyone. Also, I knew that they can't hold my papers for any reason. Either they have to process my document within certain timeline or they have to reject my application by proving criminal record against me. So I confidently told them, “I will not give any money to process my application and if you want to hold my application you can”.

Spontaneous reply came back from police, " ye Anna ka jo bhoot chada hai na usko uttar do, ye akela budhdha kuch badal nahi sakta.  Bina paise koi kaam nahi hoga" by which he advised me to forgot the anti-corruption fever that Anna had spread over entire country. That senior man can't change anything in the country. Without money they will not process anything. 

Again, my reply was very clear, "Ok sir" and waited for their response.

Now they were also under pressure. Police told me to come in the evening when their senior officer will be available. I thought that, as they failed to convince me for the bribe, now they will use their senior's power to convince. But I calmly said “ok” and returned home.

Again in the evening I reached to Police station. They told me to go into the cabin of senior Police officer for verification. I entered into the cabin and he told me to sit into the chair which was opposite to him.

Again flood of questions!!!! Most were the same which other officers had asked me in the noon. Additionally he asked me to show the black spot on the left wrist, which I had mentioned in the application form. After the finishing all formalities, he asked me to talk to the officer who asked for the bribe.

Now for last time he tried, "Sir, kahi tari bakshish dya", meaning, "Give as much as you want to give". And again I replied "NO"... 

Finally after all attempts failed, he accepted his failure and cleared the documents.  

Finally I got my passport on 28th October, 2011 as birthday gift. 

Never give any type of bribe to any person.

If you are correct, then no one can hold your work. Just follow the laws. And still if they hold your work & ask for money, instead of giving money post your complaint on below site and give them the complaint reference no. and see the magic.

http://dpg.gov.in