- This topic has 27 replies, 17 voices, and was last updated 1 year, 3 months ago by
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USo this crazy thing happened. I (23M) was going to a place around 50km from my town on a road trip. We were 4 boys (21M, 22M, 20M, 23M). As we were about to enter a forest on our way, we stopped as one of our friend had to pee. Immediately after that we were taking a selfie and about to leave when suddenly a police officer came rushing towards us (he seemed drunk). He asked us why did we stop there (in a very rude way), so we told him. Immediately he started shouting, asking us what’s there in our car, and we said he can check it (as we didn’t think carrying 3 sealed bottles would be illegal in West bengal). He saw the bottles and started abusing us (said stuff like m@darchod etc.). We were shocked not knowing what was happening. He asked for my car documents so I asked him to check it online as I didn’t have the hard copy with me at that time. Then took the car’s keys and said he’s gonna arrest us and started threatening us, and I was scared because I got my placement recently and after my MBA an arrest could potentially be harmful for my job. This whole thing ran for 3-4 hours, 3-4 HOURS OF PURE HARASSMENT! We were just made to stand there, and he wouldn’t even say the exact ‘crime’ which we had committed. At one point one of us started crying, we were begging him, literally fell on his feet, but nothing. He kept cussing. Another problem was that since it was the start of the forest, the phone signal was very weak and we couldn’t call anyone. This whole thing ran for 3-4 hours (a lot of details so I’ll just skip it, ask me in the comments if you’d like to know). Finally the other officer (who joined him later) asked us to pay ₹20k but at last came down to 16k. We somehow called our friends, managed 16k. He still took us to the police station, did some documentation. And let us leave. This whole thing was 5 hours.
I’m really depressed. I am getting flashbacks of the harassment, couldn’t sleep. Not to mention the fact that I have to pay back my friends the money I borrowed, which I have no idea how I’ll manage. I’m just blank at this point.
P.S: I was driving, I had a drivers license, car was in my name, every document for the car was there (only didn’t have the hard copy in my car that that time), both of us in the front seat were wearing a seatbelt, none of us had one ounce of alcohol.
Is there anything that can be done without putting my career in jeopardy? -
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AIf you got receipt you know what charges he put. If you gave cash without documents then forget for mental peace. But if you want to fight why don’t you file a complaint
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UThey demanded cash of course and we were asked to hand it 5 mins before we reached the police station, so we withdrew it from a nearby ATM he took us to . We were 2-3 hours away from home in the middle of a forest with barely any network, scared that we had to spend the night in jail without our family knowing about it, not to mention the fear of losing my job, so we gave the money. And no receipt. Although the other officer said that carrying 3 bottles without bill was illegal.
(We didn’t ask for the bill as we made an online payment at the Liquor store and thought wouldn’t need a bill.)-
AWhat do you want?
You can’t claim something without written evidence happened through anonymous means.
You have to complain about them but there is a risk of fake FIR and if you don’t have a good lawyer I won’t recommend it. Just forget it and relax.-
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UAlthough I will probably just let it go I just thought I should post it, hoping someone who can make a difference would see it.
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DSorry you had to go through this, man. What happened to you sounds like a nightmare, and it’s totally understandable that you’re feeling shaken up. This kind of harassment is a harsh reality in some places, where corrupt cops prey on people’s fear and lack of legal know-how. It’s not fair, and it’s not your fault for not expecting it—most of us wouldn’t. Let’s break this down and figure out what you can take from it without risking your career.
First off, treat this as an expensive lesson about how some police operate. The law in India can be a mess because of officers like this who twist it for their own gain. That said, there are honest cops higher up the chain who these guys are terrified of. If you’d calmly pushed back—say, by agreeing to go to the police station and insisting he write an official challan (fine) that you’d challenge in court—he might’ve backed off or at least not squeezed you for ₹16k. The trick is they bank on you panicking and paying up to avoid trouble. From what you’ve said, carrying sealed beer bottles isn’t inherently illegal in West Bengal unless you’re transporting it across state lines without a permit or breaking some local dry zone rule (which he didn’t even specify). His vagueness about your “crime” is a red flag—he was likely fishing for a bribe, not enforcing anything legit.
Here’s the practical side: in situations like this, staying calm and reading the cop’s vibe can save you. Check his attitude, his body language—is he aggressive but shaky? Drunk or sloppy? That can tell you how serious he is or if he’s just bullying for cash. Ask yourself what you actually did wrong under the law (not what he’s yelling about). You had your license, the car was legit, no one was drinking—sounds like he had nothing solid. If you’d called his bluff and said, “Okay, let’s go to the station and sort this out officially,” he might’ve folded. Most of these guys don’t want paperwork or scrutiny from their bosses. Easier said than done, I know—4 hours of harassment would rattle anyone, and I’m not judging you for paying to get out. You were scared about your job, and that’s a real concern.
Next time (hope there isn’t one), you’ve got more tools. One cool trick: use ChatGPT or something similar if you’ve got even a scrap of signal. Type in “is it illegal to carry sealed beer bottles in a car in West Bengal” or “what to do if a cop asks for a bribe in India”—it can give you quick clarity on the law and some basic moves to try. Knowledge is power here. Also, keep a digital copy of your car docs on your phone—saves the “no hard copy” hassle.
For now, don’t beat yourself up over this. You’re not the first to get shaken down, and sadly, you won’t be the last. On the money front, talk to your friends—explain you’re strapped and see if they’ll give you time to pay back. As for your career, this won’t touch it unless there’s an official FIR or arrest record, which it doesn’t sound like there is. You said they did “some documentation” at the station—what was it? If it’s just a vague log entry and not a formal case, you’re probably fine. If you’re paranoid, you could quietly check with a lawyer later, but don’t stir the pot unless you have to.
I’m not a lawyer, so this isn’t legal advice—just a fellow Redditor trying to help. Hang out on this sub, read up on what others go through, and see what real lawyers suggest in similar spots. You’ll pick up some street-smarts that way. Take it easy, bro—you’ll bounce back from this.
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SI think at the age of 22, even I would have been shit scared in such scenarios. Now at 38, I start asking questions and demand to see their ID card, warrants to check car, do quick google search to quote what are the prevalent laws, etc. And I tell them that only a policeman ranked above sub inspector can demand to check documents.
If needed, I can make calls to a guy who knows a guy who knows a guy… If you know what I mean. This ordeal becomes too much for these morons.
OP, tough luck. But with time, you will start driving bigger and bigger vehicles. And the bigger your vehicle gets, the lesser are the probabilities of Policemen stopping you (unkess you start driving a truck).
At no point should you allow anyone to take away car keys. This is a clear red line and my tone would clearly shift to loud aggressive and start recording his video. -
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SFile a complaint on CPGrams. The errant officers will come begging to you.
And next time don’t carry alcohol with you when traveling. It is never worth it.
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UWould there any court visits required? Or are there any chances of getting charges pressed against me instead?
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