Look back in your life and think about the most embarrassing moment in your life!! I had few shares of mine too… gonna share one of them.
Drink and Drive – Caught [shit]
28th Aug 2008 [the dreaded night]
My school friend Neil had come down to Mumbai to compete in Indian Idols competition. The result wasn’t gr8. Towards late evening, I decided to take him out around on my bike to Mumbai’s hip places and hang around with office colleagues too. This would cheer him up.
My office colleagues were bit late and my friend n I decided to gulp down some beer to kill the time.
We had around two bottles each at Totos [the garage pub in Pali naka]. Around 8pm my office colleagues arrived and we started our dinner at Jai Javan [Bandra]. Its an amazing place to treat your taste buds with Fish and chicken.
We had loads of food with too much of pudina/dhaniya chatni and pungent onions. The food as usual was amazing and the above mentioned ingredients would definitely cover up all the alcohol smell.
Neil had an accommodation in Ghatkopar [20kms from my place] and being good friend of his I opted to drop him till his place [on my bike].
It had been good 3 hrs after we had boozed and around 11pm we headed towards Ghatkopar. I didn’t feel tipsy and didn’t have any feeling that I had alcohol. We didn’t find any check nakas/police until we reached near Ghatkopar.
First Hurdle – Lucky
Constable stopped us and analyzed my breath with his trusted nose by asking multiple questions. I showed him my license and he let us go. I dropped Neil at his destination and headed back the 20km long bike ride.
Being new to the place I had opted to take back the same road [opposite the intersection] not paying much attention that another check naka was setup on this side of the intersection as well. I was confident that even if they stop, they will not come to know as I was lucky with the other constable.
Second Hurdle – Not so lucky
Time: 11:30pm
3 constables surrounded me and analyzed my breath similar to the previous fashion [Trusted Nose]. One of them suspected foul smell. I tried to persuade that I didn’t have any alcohol and had just crossed the check naka across the intersection, dropped my friend and came back. Ultimately, I was taken to the Traffic police station [across the road] for breath analyzer test. I was asked to blow air into the analyzer [black box with LCD display]. I was asked to blow harder as nothing came up with my first blow [soft one]. The LCD changed to 57 and a red light started glowing. This was just the beginning. I didn’t know anyone around the area to help me out with some top official influence. I was all by myself and had to tackle it.
[FYI. 30 ml or count 30 on the LCD display is the permissible alcohol limit in India]
I was the 3rd bakra caught that night. My mind stopped working and tension started to build up. I didn’t know who to turn up for help. All around me were looking like small time criminals. [ I was in formals]
Another Bakra came in, count 400+. After sometime another 2 came in, 80+ and 500+ count. I had the lowest count of all [just 57]. Meanwhile, One of them pleaded and tried to bribe the officer with 1.5k [all the money he had]. He was held by the collar and asked to wait for further proceeding like the rest of us.
The drama continued till 1am and check naka was removed. We all were made to sit in the Traffic police’s ‘Qualis’ [First and probably the last time] and our journey began.
Time: 1:00am
Next destination – Govt. hospital [Kurla] . All of us were standing in a line, like prisoners [small time offenders]. The doctor enquired “did you consume alcohol”. Say yes and apply left thumb impression on doctor’s report. This report states the amount of alcohol consumed and same is certified by the hospital. If anyone denies the charges, he/she will be taken for further examinations.
By this time another problem occurred. I had to pee very badly. But I was instructed against it in govt hospital toilets as I might contract diseases. Tension increased…
After completing the formalities we were once again loaded in the ‘Qualis’.
Next destination – Police station [Kurla]. Similar procedures were followed and we were standing in a queue to meet another officer. I couldn’t resist my pee any longer and requested to constable for a place to leak. Taking pity on my condition, he requested permission from the officer, escorted me for nature’s call. Finally, some relief.
We were instructed to keep 2100rs ready to be paid at officer’s desk. We all were handed over the receipt of 2000rs [100rsx6=600rs for officer’s party]. This payment is mandatory as an advance payment which court levies on the offender. No one is allowed to visit ATM and the one who cant pay up will be held in lock up whole night. I had exactly 2100rs.
While leaving [2:00am], we all were informed to be present at Mulund court by 10am. The bike was kept in custody and would be released only after Court’s order is passed. I took a cab and while coming back home, all I could think of was the humiliation I had gone thru. I wanted the earth to swallow me. My head was ringing, I couldn’t think of anything but the ordeal.
29th Aug 2008
I had to attend the ‘chalu’ court [term used for non-regular court used for petty cases]. The whole decision in such court lies with judge. All decisions depend on his moods and within 5 mins he solves all cases or postpones to next dates.
I reached the venue around 8:45am [suffering the horrible train journey]. I saw a lawyer outside the court and thought of approaching him such that he can do some internal setting and remove all the charges. He demanded 500rs, I humbly paid. The trial began like all court room trials [All rise- ‘shit’]. The court was filled with at least 50 -60 accused [all different cases]. The trial began with robbery, went on to house feud over property, then moved on to illegal business, finally the inspector who caught us, arrived at the court to present his case. All this while, I was relaxed that my newly hired lawyer will arrange for a clean chit. When my turn came, I was summoned and I stood in from of magistrate. My lawyer stood up to present the case that ‘I plead guilty’ and being a first time offender to be lenient with the case. The only plus point I had was of my alcohol count. The magistrate announced 30 mins punishment [standing at the back of the court with other offenders], 2000rs fine [which is paid the previous night] and 6 months license suspend [oh my god, I didn’t see this coming]. My lawyer duped me, and didn’t utter a word for my license. The court room drama ended at 11:30am. We all were handed the orders and I was not supposed to ride a bike for next six months [The horrible local train journey flashed in front of my eyes].
I had to again go to Kurla Police station to get my bike. Luckily, My friend [Anshu], accompanied me on his bike to Kurla. I was asked for all Xerox copies of court order, ID proof, my friend’s ID proof.
The key of my bike was handed over to my friend [I was not supposed to ride as my license got revoked]. I had to bribe [30rs] the parking fellow to release the bike.
Thus ending my horrible ordeal. which again began post 6 months to trace my driving License.
I very much support of the LAW of ‘drink and drive’ and after going thru horrible night, I dare not drink and drive again.
As per the new LAW [post 2nd feb 2010] the punishment is minimum 6 months and up to 10000rs fine.
