Ananya was on leave to attend her brother’s wedding, and had set aside her uniform to embrace her role simply as a sister not as a police officer.
On the way, the taxi driver said, “Madam, I’m taking this route today because I don’t usually take this route.”
Ananya asked casually, “Why, brother? What’s the problem with this route?”
The driver said, a little nervously, “Madam, there’s a police checkpoint on this road. An inspector here issues challans without reason and extorts money from taxi drivers. If anyone refuses, he even beats them up. I don’t know what fate has in store for me today. God forbid I have to face him today, otherwise he’ll extort money even for no fault of his.”
Ananya began to think, “Does this really happen? Is the officer at this police station really so corrupt and ruthless?”
A short while later, they saw Inspector Ravi Sharma, along with some of his officers, checking vehicles on the roadside. As soon as the taxi approached, the inspector signaled the car to a stop.
Inspector Ravi said angrily, “Hey, taxi driver! Get off. Do you own the road, driving so fast? Don’t you fear the law at all? Pay the ₹5,000 challan right now.”
With this, he took out the challan book. The driver, identified as Ramesh, was terrified and asked “Sir, I haven’t broken any rules. Why are you issuing me a fine? Please don’t do this. I don’t have that much money right now. Where can I get ₹5,000?”
The inspector turned more enraged.
“Are you arguing with me? If you don’t have the money, why are you driving the taxi? Show me your license and vehicle documents. Is this taxi stolen?”
Ramesh immediately produced all the documents and showed them. Everything was completely correct.
Yet, the inspector said, “The documents are fine, but you’ll have to pay the fine. Pay ₹5,000 now, or at least ₹3,000. Otherwise, I’ll confiscate the vehicle.”
Ananya, standing nearby, was watching everything carefully. She clearly saw how the inspector was harassing a hardworking, poor taxi driver for no reason and trying to extort money from him.
Regardless her anger, Ananya remained calm as she wanted to understand the full truth first.
The driver folded his hands and said, “Sir, where can I get so much money? I’ve only earned ₹500 so far. I can’t afford to pay ₹3,000. I have small children. I’m a poor man, working day and night to feed my family. Please have mercy on me.”
But Inspector Ravi showed no mercy. He flew into a rage, grabbed Ramesh by the collar, pushed him, and shouted, “If you don’t have money, why do you drive a taxi? Does the road belong to you? And on top of that, you’re arguing with me! Come on, I’ll teach you a lesson at the police station.”
Hearing this, Ananya couldn’t remain silent any longer. She stepped forward, stood in front of the inspector, and said sternly, “Inspector, you’re completely wrong. Why are you issuing a challan to this driver when he hasn’t broken any rules? You’ve even physically assaulted him. This is a serious violation of the law and civil rights. You have no right to harass a civilian like this. Let him go immediately.
News Edit KV Raman
