Policing the Police

Chai-paani is something we are oh-so familiar with. Haven’t we even had a good laugh at its mention?

I was on my daily dinner routine. Happened to see this on-duty police person walking out of his official patrol van called ‘Hoysala’. He walked up to the cashier of this local restaurant – grabbed some money – and was matter-of-factly walking back. Not that this was the first time I saw such a thing – but I don’t know what came on to me (perhaps Bollywood effect?) – I looked him in the eye and gestured to him asking him what he was up to.

He just walked off with a who-the-hell-are-you grin on his face. I got a bit miffed – again in true self-righteous Bollywood ishtyle.

I picked up my phone – dialed 100 (ironic) and there was this English-speaking lady who greeted me. The tone was surprisingly very pleasant – a feature we don’t quite associate with anything belonging to the government/state.

While I was narrating the story and lodging my complaint, this police guy was on his way back – perhaps after completing his “job”. He and his driver partner stopped the vehicle, walked out of it, gave me a threatening glare and swore at me with a loud and clear MC – we all know what that is. This was all while I was on the phone with 1-0-0.

I felt a sudden rush of power and courage. I stood my ground. Made a note of the route number as well as the vehicle number – gave it to the lady on the phone. Both men disappeared into thin air.

I was assured that the message has been conveyed to the concerned authorities and an “appropriate action” will be taken. Assuming there’d be a system, I asked for a complaint number – the computer wasn’t working. On request and insistence, I was given the mobile number of the city police commissioner – *sigh* his phone was switched off.