A series of heavy fines decreed by state governments for minor civic offences such as not wearing face masks or jumping a traffic light, which far from deterring offenders, has had the adverse effect of increasing retail police corruption manifold.

In the garden city of Bangalore — the state’s rustic politicians have senselessly surrendered the global brand equity of this hi-tech city by renaming it Bengaluru — stringent fines decreed for minor traffic offences including parking, have engendered well-oiled rackets which are multiplying the already huge number of crooked cops. For instance, heavy fines decreed for jumping traffic lights has created a great opportunity for traffic policemen to extort less amounts for personal enrichment. With the second offence fine raised to Rs.1,000 this fraternity is ready, willing and able to overlook first time infringement for Rs.200-300. Without a receipt, of course.

Moreover, to ‘book’ more offenders, an added refinement is for the green lights to turn red instantly, with barely a second for a flash of orange. As a result there are a large and rising number of wealthy traffic cops in the garden city whose assets need investigation. In the US, there is a second layer police department known as Internal Affairs whose full-time mandate is to monitor, detect and prosecute crooked cops misusing their office. A similar institution is urgently required in this unhappy, over-taxed country.’

Also read: Ingrate nation