Corrupt Hawaldars/Police

indian_kiwi

Hi there

I am an NRI living abroad since i was 10 years old. I have been regularly travelling back to India approx every 3 years since i left in 1990. Mostly with family.

The last time i went to India 3 years ago was the first trip i made by myself to see my sick grandfater. I went via Bombay.

I had to take a train from VT station in bombay to get to gujurat. I had a coolie carrying my bag for me which was like one of those long sports bags blue in colour, and i had about 3 locks (for each zip pocket). Got stopped by 3 hawaldars for no reason at all. Firt thing they said without me saying anything was 'show me your passport'. They must have been able to tell by way i was dressed or my bag...no idea. Then they asked me to open my bag and show what was inside...they asked if i was carrying alcohol to which i said no.

They saw that i had stocking filled with chocoloates for my nephews and then suddenly just said can we keep this. I was shocked and asked why. I had 2 filled with chocs and they said can we keep one. Before the converstaion went any further , luckily the local person i was with found me and said to them dont worry about him, hes a local and said to me to get on the train.

I have no idea if he paid them off or not but i was quite shaken by that incident. HAd i continued to refuse who knows what they might have done?

So my q is if this kind of thing happens again what can i do/should do? Im worried that they will make a scene and threaten to take me back to the station and charge me with something illegaly and nor do i want to pay them anything either.

Suggestions/thoughts?


Thanks

capt_mahajan

Make a noise. Ask them for their names- demand identification- and tell them you will complain to the police commisioner.

It is not all that simple to charge a person with something illegally, especially in a big city, and especially if you have been trying to hit him/her for chocolates.

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Outside the machine

trooooon

That's a wild story!! Cops with a sweet tooth . . . I would never part with my chocolates, the nerve of the buggers . . . In a Railway station at that!! If they caught you in a desolate area and started demanding goodies I could understand not wanting to take any risks and handing some over, but in VT you should have just brought the house down, there's not a thing they could have done, general junta is usually most supportive in these matters, everyone hates the police ;-) . . . and imagine their embarrassment at being labeled chocolate thieves!

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what if . . . maybe . . . say . . . suppose!

shere

Next time before you travel do a bit of internet research. Google Mumbai police, Maharashtra Government. Then jot down a few names and phone numbers of the top honchos.

When a cop approaches just pull out you numbers and say your uncle is good friends with XYZ in police and if this XYZ of police tells me to give you chocolates then I will.

Watch them poo their pants and slither away. I did something similar when someone was harrassing me at IGIA car park masquerading as a Cutoms Official whereas his ID showed he was just some odd bod cleaner type person.

nycank

Sala Main To Sahab Ban Gaya

I feel your pain, Decades ago I parted with my cohibas Never anything since the '90s.

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bade bhaisaheb is outsourced

indian_kiwi

Thanks for the suggestions....thing is im not an angry or provocative person by nature so doubt whether id be able to talk back to them like that.

Guess i have no choice do I...one of things i hate about india is the level of corruption deeply rooted in the system...but then the overall experience of travelling 'home' always makes up for these things!

nycank

I left desh before you were born; I visit nearly every year, I dont see corruption in India to be any more or less than many other countries -- Just Different. - PACs and Siemens included