They may crib about long working hours and additional duties, but when it comes to special drives, it is more the merrier for traffic police personnel. Recently, Chickpet Police Sub Inspector Anjinappa stopped Amruth, a city-based businessman, for using a shrill horn, which carries a fine of Rs. 100.
However, Amruth was charged Rs. 1,000 and he was forced to withdraw money from a nearby ATM.
It was only after he reached home that he realised that the receipt for the fine was Rs. 100. After it was brought to the notice of the higher ups, the sub inspector was suspended.
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Anjinappa’s case is just a tip of the iceberg. More often than not, the police personnel pull up motorists for traffic violations and demand money.
Department sources say that a police person on a special drive goes home with at least Rs. 5,000. “If Anjinappa was trying to take Rs 1,000 from one person, imagine how many traffic violators he would have caught that day,” says a senior police officer.
The modus operandi is simple: the police person on special drive target motorists who they think are vulnerable and do not fall into serious offences category. Many motorists, who whose alcohol in blood is less than the prescribed limit, are often targeted.
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With threats of imprisonment, impounding of driving licence for suspension and hefty fines, apart a day at the court, a bribe is demanded. Under pressure, these motorists end up paying the bribe in return for not getting any cases against them and to get their vehicles released.
“It is not that police persons hate special drives, but there is some element of reluctance. Since drunken driving and traffic offences are taken seriously, personnel on these drives benefit,” the officer said.
Senior police officials are aware of these drives that many times becoming a money spinner. While traffic police had special squads to check on these corrupt practises, it was scrapped for reasons unknown.
Imran Gowhar