Mumbai woman claims traffic cop threatened Rs 14,000 fine. Police responds

A Mumbai woman's allegation that a woman traffic cop tried to pressure her into making an unofficial payment has snowballed into an online dispute after Mumbai Police responded with their own version of events on social media.

The controversy began when the woman shared her experience on X, claiming she was stopped by a traffic police officer and told she could face penalties worth Rs 14,000 if she did not "adjust" the matter. According to her, the officer allegedly suggested alternatives to a formal challan and warned that her vehicle could be confiscated.

The woman said she refused to make any unofficial payment and insisted that any fine be issued through the proper legal process.

"I'd rather pay my fines than give even 1 paisa bribe," she wrote, adding that she eventually received a challan of only Rs 500.

Questioning the officer's conduct, she tagged Mumbai Police and asked, "Why was a wrong and unofficial payment suggested instead of issuing the challan directly?" She also accused the officer of intimidating her and criticised what she described as corruption within the system.

See the post:

The post quickly gained traction online, prompting an initial response from Mumbai Police, who requested details about the location of the incident.

However, the matter took another turn when the police issued a second public reply disputing parts of her claims.

According to Mumbai Police, the woman already had pending e-challans amounting to Rs 3,900. They stated that she was informed about these dues by a lady constable and was additionally fined Rs 500 for not carrying her driving licence.

"Your total pending challan amount is now Rs 4,400, which you were asked to pay," the police wrote.

Here’s the response:

The clarification did little to settle the dispute. Responding to the police, the woman maintained that the real issue was the alleged threat and intimidation she faced.

"I'm fined for not carrying my licence, so what consequences will your constable have for faking hefty fines or threatening to seize my vehicle?" she asked.

The exchange has since sparked intense discussion online. While some users supported the woman and shared similar experiences with traffic enforcement, others pointed out that pending challans must also be taken into account.

What do you think? Was this a case of intimidation, a misunderstanding over pending fines, or does the truth lie somewhere in between?