On the contrary: Bribery is rampant in the police force, says Rajesh Kumar
I had a love marriage, but I later found out that my wife was having an affair. When I confronted her, she was not ready to talk. I still wanted to be with her and so I spoke to her father. But instead of talking to me, her family went directly to the Vijayanagar police station.
I was confused as to what had happened when I was suddenly called there. I went alone and the policemen started threatening me, saying I was torturing my wife and had taken dowry. I don't believe in dowry and had even paid all the expenses for our wedding. They claimed that I had taken 250 grams worth of gold and Rs 40 lakh from my wife’s family.
I was trying to talk to the inspector and constable, but they did not listen to my side of the story at all. Where was the proof that I had taken either the money or the gold? There was no proof that I was harassing her either.
I wanted to explain about the affair to the cops since I had proof that she was having one. I asked them to investigate the other man she was seeing, but they didn't.
When I asked for a divorce, the cops said it was not possible because my marriage was not registered. But when I asked a lawyer friend, he said going by the Hindu Marriage Act I could still ask for a divorce.
They neither agreed to this, nor did they record my statement. It was evident that the entire thing was fixed and they had taken a bribe. If they had investigated the matter properly, the woman would have been put behind bars. I was just made to sign an understanding that I would not go near her house or ever try to contact her as otherwise I would be put in jail.
I have experienced many other such instances of corruption with the police. Even for something as small as forgetting my license in my wallet at home I was forced to pay a bribe and not a fine.
A policeman once told me that his salary was only Rs 12, 000 and he had to pay from his pocket for petrol or diesel. When I asked him how he managed, he said he took bribes and that was the only way.
Even in the case of (DySP) Ganapati, there must be some other strong reason, which he did not want others to find out about, for his suicide. Otherwise, if you don't like your job, you can just resign. Who is going to do anything to you?
The writer is a freelance architect
