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The Great Indian "Tamasha"

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  • The Great Indian "Tamasha"

    Well let me start by saying it was a Sunday. Lovely weather, good day to go for a bike ride. I'm home following the lazy Sunday routine of fooling around the house in the morning and i get a call from a friend (ZeNashB - R15) asking if i wanted to come along and as always, it was a yes. We were being joined by another friend (Gorbi - Ninja 250). And in a while we met up near his (Gorbi) place and off we were with a smile. But little did we realize our fate later on that day .

    We took the bikes to this road which was incomplete due to some political issues and hence didn't lead to any big destination on the other end after a 2 Km stretch. We reached the point where it ended and pulled over for a little discussion about bikes and pics and were off minding our own business. On the way back he(Gorbi) Said there's a SBK parked in a house on a road close by and we took that route and saw the bike. Interestingly, the SBK owner was a good friend of mine and i asked my friends to pullover at his place . In i go and call him out and he's all smiles to see these bikes parked outside his place. Then, all the formalities of introducing each other done and he agrees to join us for a ride. In he goes, out he comes with the his gear and his SBK, an 06 gixxer. Off we are to the same spot, taking pics, and chatting about bikes, the good and the bad about bikes, etc. Then off we are to get a drink on the sunny evening (at around 4). And off we are on our bikes and we saw these cops on their TVS Apache, ponting at us for a second, and we had no clue why. So we continued and a few 100m out of the stretch, Mr. xyz (gixxer owner) gets a call saying one of his friends will be joining us. And we're there on the side of the road waiting for his friend and we see a police jeep pass us and stop a little ahead of us. They stop and a moment later the jeeps in reverse and they stop in front of us and a cop gets down, runs towards our bikes and grabs all the bikes keys! Stunned we are, absolutely clueless as to what the cops doing! Next moment he pulls his Walkie Talkie out and radios the cops on the Apache saying "Sir, we have them here, we have caught them while they were trying to run."
    Next moment, we ask him what happened and he turns to us and says "Doing Wheeling eh?" Shocked we are to hear it !
    Then began the argument with the cops. We're asking them who filed the complaint, but they refuse to tell us who (they were probably thinking of making a quick and big buck after seeing these fancy bikes). We even showed them the pics of our bikes parked together in the pics as evidence that we didn't do "Wheeling" but they refused to believe us and we are taken to the station. There, as soon as we took the bikes in, the S.I. walks out saying "Are these the bikes? Then file a case on them for rash "driving" and stunting on public roads." That's when Mr. xyz got really angry and pulled his phone out and called some freind of his who was an MLA and went into the station for their "discussion." A few minutes later they're out and we get our bikes back. While leaving the station to take our parked bikes, the S.I., loudly, "Ok, don't to wheeling next time, pay the fine and go" to the guy who was actually "wheeling" but whom we didn't have a clue about, being caught. He himself confessed he didn't know us when the cop asked him if he knew us or was part of our group. We looked at each other (as in ourselves) and were shocked to see how the cops handle situations so calmly, according to their own wish without a care for the public.

    And off we go from the station after learning a lesson about not what we did, but what the cops and the uneducated public in that area did! We were aware of such "stories" the uneducated guys wanted to hear and be in so they could tell their friends about it, but we were never caught in one, and for no reason. This is a very sad incident which ruined our evening. This is the mindset of the jealous, uneducated, narrow minded people who want to cause trouble for fun and the cops who want to file a case on innocent people without a care for evidence or even an FIR to show off that they are doing their "Duty".

    The lesson we learned - not to pull over in big/fancy/loud bikes for more than a couple of minutes close to well populated rural areas.

    P.S. : The cops had a bit of a kind side when they told us that we were not at fault and that they knew someone else was caught doing wheelies and that we were in the wrong place at the wrong time. They said they took us to the station because if they hadn't, the people in that area would have beaten us, despite knowing we didn't do anything wrong, which was quiet true.
    Last edited by ironman; 09-20-2010, 02:59 PM.
    Riding is a way of life. Sometimes, it might also be a way of giving life. So Ride safe. In both contexts.

  • #2
    General biking discussion approved.
    (Been There Done That) x 3.25

    Comment


    • #3
      Really really sad and annoying to read this. Can see it happening easily. Since wearing some nice riding gear = you are a racer image to these folks.

      Just one bad example is enough to taint us. Someone else does it and we pay the price. Not just villages even cities. Have someone stunt in your residential area with riding gear and see how then people look at you from the days onwards !

      The only thing that can help in these situations is contacts with higher ups and knowing the local language !
      A man's testosterone level is directly proportional to bhp that he's using on his motorcycle.

      Comment


      • #4
        Originally posted by ironman View Post
        Well let me start by saying it was a Sunday. Lovely weather, good day to go for a bike ride. I'm home following the lazy Sunday routine of fooling around the house in the morning and i get a call from a friend (ZeNashB - R15) asking if i wanted to come along and as always, it was a yes. We were being joined by another friend (Gorbi - Ninja 250). And in a while we met up near his (Gorbi) place and off we were with a smile. But little did we realize our fate later on that day .

        We took the bikes to this road which was incomplete due to some political issues and hence didn't lead to any big destination on the other end after a 2 Km stretch. We reached the point where it ended and pulled over for a little discussion about bikes and pics and were off minding our own business. O the way back he(Gorbi) Said there's a SBK parked in a house on a road close by and we took that route and saw the bike. Interestingly, the SBK owner was a good friend of mine and i asked my friends to pullover at his place . In i go and call him out and he's all smiles to see these bikes parked outside his place. Then, all the formalities of introducing each other done and he agrees to join us for a ride. In he goes, out he comes with the his gear and his SBK, an 06 gixxer. Off we are to the same spot, taking pics, and chatting about bikes, the good and the bad about bikes, etc. Then off we are to get a drink on the sunny evening (at around 4). And off we are on our bikes and we saw these cops on their TVS Apache, ponting at us for a second, and we had no clue why. So we continued and a few 100m out of the stretch, Mr. xyz (gixxer owner) gets a call saying one of his friends will be joining us. And we're there on the side of the road waiting for his friend and we see a police jeep pass us and stop a little ahead of us. They stop and a moment later the jeeps in reverse and they stop in front of us and a cop gets down, runs towards our bikes and grabs all the bikes keys! Stunned we are, absolutely clueless as to what the cops doing! Next moment he pulls his Walkie Talkie out and radios the cops on the Apache saying "Sir, we have them here, we have caught them while they were trying to run."
        Next moment, we ask him what happened and he turns to us and says "Doing Wheeling eh?" Shocked we are to hear it !
        Then began the argument with the cops. We're asking them who filed the complaint, but they refuse to tell us who (they were probably thinking of making a quick and big buck after seeing these fancy bikes). We even showed them the pics of our bikes parked together in the pics as evidence that we didn't do "Wheeling" but they refuse to believe us and we are taken to the station. There, as soon as we took the bikes in, the S.I. walks out saying "Are these the bikes? Then file a case on them for rash "driving" and stunting on public roads." That's when Mr. xyz got really angry and pulled his phone out and called some freind of his who was an MLA and went into the station for their "discussion." A few minutes later they're out and we get our bikes back. While leaving the station to take our parked bikes, the S.I., loudly, "Ok, don't to wheeling next time, pay the fine and go" to the guy who was actually "wheeling" but whom we didn't have a clue about, being caught. He himself confessed he didn't know us when the cop asked him if he knew us or was part of our group. We looked at each other (as in ourselves) and were shocked to see how the cops handle situations so calmly, according to their own wish without a care for the public.

        And off we go from the station after learning a lesson about not what we did, but what the cops and the uneducated public in that area did! We were aware of such "stories" the uneducated guys wanted to hear and be in so they could tell their friends about it, but we were never caught in one, and for no reason. This is a very sad incident which ruined our evening. This is the mindset of the jealous, uneducated, narrow minded people who want to cause trouble for fun and the cops who want to file a case on innocent people without a care for evidence or even an FIR to show off that they are doing their "Duty".

        The lesson we learned - not to pull over in big/fancy/loud bikes for more than a couple of minutes close to well populated rural areas.

        P.S. : The cops had a bit of a kind side when they told us that we were not at fault and that they knew someone else was caught doing wheelies and that we were in the wrong place at the wrong time. They said they took us to the station because if they hadn't, the people in that area would have beaten us, despite knowing we didn't do anything wrong, which was quiet true.
        a similar thing had happened to me when i was going from pune to mumbai last month.. i wwas as usual riding at constant 70-80 kmph with a newly fitted k&n and a custom freeflow (quite a sweet sound and not exactly loud) and then i crossed a parked police jeep. i saw that they were poiting at something in the rvm but continued my ride.. but when I stopped at the next dhabha for some refreshments, they zoomed ahead and in a couple of seconds they were back in the reverse gear.. they asked something to the dhabha guy and then asked me my licence and took the keys of the bike.. then the hell broke loose....

        they kept it with them and said they had seen me stunting on the highway and the usual scaring banter.. since i very well knew that there is no speed limit as such, i asked them if they had any pic of me stunting, and then they started explaining how the bike will be confiscated and stuff.. then i got real pissed off, called a friend of mine who talked to them as the assistant commissner of police pune, took the pic of the constable, pretended as if i will get some action against him and snatched the keys and the licence from the constable, and told them, I will deal this in the court. and make sure that he pays me for my expences...

        then they were like.. sorry saheb, jaane do na... galti se laga ki aap stunt karte hain.. i am very sorry... and kinda stuff

        so in the end I was like, WTF??? , what the hell is going on.. even the dhabha owner did not take any money for the tea and started complaining that these ppl do this every now and then.. and asked me if I could help him against some cop who had a problem with him ( the usual chamcha giri) .. and then i just said i will come later and went off

        so in the end i learnt, be firm, even the cops dont know what they can charge the ppl for..

        pst they could have charged me for overspeeding and illegal free flow exhaust but he apparently did not realise that
        Last edited by ROCKRZ; 09-20-2010, 01:08 PM.
        Suffering from Parked Motorcycle Syndrome

        Cant ride ? read this..
        http://MechMarvels.wordpress.com

        Repair manuals for Hero honda Hunk
        https://www.xbhp.com/talkies/do-your...eneration.html

        Comment


        • #5
          really sorry to hear about it guys. it sure is a case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

          well probably the police had a point there when they said that if they didnt take an action then the locals might have pounded on you guys - cause I have heard of a couple of cases of some highspeed fatal accidents on fast bikes in the rural areas and that could be the reason behind it.

          maybe next time we should actually go back there, at 30-40kmph, rip, and actually sit with the ppl and share some words and enlighten then on the biking thing, share a few tips on safety and maintenance etc. probably that might help them understand that not all bikers are erratic and in doing so we can even take xBHP to the villages.

          Comment


          • #6
            Hmm...looks like cops are finding a new tactic to earn money with guys with big bikes!!! Now they can find the money of 5 Shoguns with 1 Ninja!!!

            Strongly agree with RockRZ here; standing firmly will definitely help.

            On a lighter side, this is why one should buy a HD; switch ON & take off the keys & keep riding; if the cops asks for the keys, hand it over to him & still ride free
            Skill is what keeps you on a Motorcycle
            Awareness + Skill is what keeps you out of harm's way
            ATGATT + Awareness + Skill means you might Live To Ride another day

            Comment


            • #7
              Originally posted by Xenologik View Post

              Just one bad example is enough to taint us. Someone else does it and we pay the price. Not just villages even cities. Have someone stunt in your residential area with riding gear and see how then people look at you from the days onwards !

              The only thing that can help in these situations is contacts with higher ups and knowing the local language !
              Very true. Sensible argument is not the way out with Indian cops. Influence is the only solution to get us out of trouble. But sad thing is they made such a big issue out of such a small one. If the media were around, then this news would have pole vaulted to new decibels!

              @aargee :Nice one with the last line
              @ROCKRZ : True where you mentioned the cops don't know what they are charging us for. Very sad, this.
              @yaser kb100: You have a point. But its a little risky. Best if those people are left on their own is what I'd say.
              Last edited by ironman; 09-20-2010, 02:56 PM.
              Riding is a way of life. Sometimes, it might also be a way of giving life. So Ride safe. In both contexts.

              Comment


              • #8
                Originally posted by ironman View Post
                If the media were around, then this news would have pole vaulted to new decibels!
                Not necessary!!!
                You pretend to be the media person next time. Just open the voice recorder in your mobile phone & start saying...
                "Its 11:03 of September 20 2010 at so & so village & I'm on my way to so & so place & start narrating the incident" & also read out the name of the cop from his badge loud & pretend you're recording & take some pics. Do not even attempt to argue with the cops. If he objects you taking pics or recording; just give him a warm smile. If they insists asking from where you're (they would assume you're from some media), say them politely that's none of his business & ask him to proceed with what he's intending to do lawfully. Trust me, you'll come out unharmed without any issues. But remember to do it calm & handle the situation politely.

                I've been waiting for one such opportunity.

                PS - If you're convinced the cops will let you go & want to add up some spice at your risk, do not forget to ask him some questions such as what's his beat, his senior's name, how long is he working, what're some of his experiences of unlawful activities on this road
                Skill is what keeps you on a Motorcycle
                Awareness + Skill is what keeps you out of harm's way
                ATGATT + Awareness + Skill means you might Live To Ride another day

                Comment


                • #9
                  Originally posted by aargee View Post
                  Not necessary!!!
                  You pretend to be the media person next time. Just open the voice recorder in your mobile phone & start saying...
                  "Its 11:03 of September 20 2010 at so & so village & I'm on my way to so & so place & start narrating the incident" & also read out the name of the cop from his badge loud & pretend you're recording & take some pics. Do not even attempt to argue with the cops. If he objects you taking pics or recording; just give him a warm smile. If they insists asking from where you're (they would assume you're from some media), say them politely that's none of his business & ask him to proceed with what he's intending to do lawfully. Trust me, you'll come out unharmed without any issues. But remember to do it calm & handle the situation politely.

                  I've been waiting for one such opportunity.

                  PS - If you're convinced the cops will let you go & want to add up some spice at your risk, do not forget to ask him some questions such as what's his beat, his senior's name, how long is he working, what're some of his experiences of unlawful activities on this road
                  nice sugestion.
                  I was having a discussion with a frnd, regarding this and i asked about posing as a reporter, he said that if i pose as a reporter, then the cop will rarely let you go cos what he will feel is eitherways he is getting nailed..
                  you need to be carefull to pull this off..
                  Suffering from Parked Motorcycle Syndrome

                  Cant ride ? read this..
                  http://MechMarvels.wordpress.com

                  Repair manuals for Hero honda Hunk
                  https://www.xbhp.com/talkies/do-your...eneration.html

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Once this happened to me. I was riding my bike and made a u-turn in a traffic signal. Then I was stopped by a cop and he accused me of taking a U-turn in spite of having a no u-turn board. I was shocked to hear it from him, as I definitely saw a U-turn signal board. As i went near the board and looked at it again, I was pissed off.

                    What these guys have done is, they've took a u-turn signal board and have written a tiny 'NO' above the arrow symbol with a permanent marker I was shocked to see it, as it was very small and the 'U' symbol was not slashed too. I tried my level best to convey that the signal board was very misleading, if seen from a distance. He never accepted it. Had to pay 50 bucks

                    Think these guys have that board specifically for that reason.
                    /// Trying to be there, dreaming to do that ! \\\

                    Prabhakar

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Originally posted by Sirius View Post
                      Had to pay 50 bucks
                      No issues; but if you haven't insisted on the challan or a different reason cited in the challan, then you were taken for ride.

                      I was once caught for speeding at 60Kmph on Velachery bridge. I got a computer receipt from the cop & he showed me the receipt. I was fortunate enough to get away with Rs 300 as fine that day because normally I used to drive atleast 80+ in my car in that stretch.

                      Getting caught is not an issue, but the fine & the reason for it should also be genuine.
                      Skill is what keeps you on a Motorcycle
                      Awareness + Skill is what keeps you out of harm's way
                      ATGATT + Awareness + Skill means you might Live To Ride another day

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Originally posted by Sirius View Post

                        What these guys have done is, they've took a u-turn signal board and have written a tiny 'NO' above the arrow symbol with a permanent marker I was shocked to see it, as it was very small and the 'U' symbol was not slashed too. I tried my level best to convey that the signal board was very misleading, if seen from a distance. He never accepted it. Had to pay 50 bucks

                        Think these guys have that board specifically for that reason.
                        Lmao! Dumb cops pulling off intelligent tricks!
                        Riding is a way of life. Sometimes, it might also be a way of giving life. So Ride safe. In both contexts.

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Originally posted by aargee View Post
                          I was once caught for speeding at 60Kmph on Velachery bridge. I got a computer receipt from the cop & he showed me the receipt. I was fortunate enough to get away with Rs 300 as fine that day because normally I used to drive atleast 80+ in my car in that stretch.
                          My house is just by that stretch. By the way, where is your offy, and by what time you cross that bridge? But 60kmph is not that fast to be fined for.
                          Last edited by Sirius; 09-20-2010, 06:44 PM.
                          /// Trying to be there, dreaming to do that ! \\\

                          Prabhakar

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Re: Tamasha!

                            Yeah, I was with Ironman when this happened Crazy experience, I tell you. I spent around 15 mins explaining to one of the constables how the R15 was front heavy and had low torque and pulling off a wheelie was exceptionally difficult on it! He understood though, so kudos to that. Infact, one of the constables even said that they know we didnt do anything, but had to follow standard protocol since a complaint had been made :P

                            Gorbi, on the other hand, almost had his lawyer on the phone when they asked for his Ninja's keys Defending the bike like that, amazing!

                            One of the cops, just pulled off the '06 gixxer's keys! and wanted to drive it himself back to the station! Some nerve that guy had!
                            Last edited by ZeNashB; 09-20-2010, 06:47 PM.
                            D'oh!

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Originally posted by Sirius View Post
                              My house is just by that stretch. By the way, where is your offy, and by what time you cross that bridge? But 60kmph is not that fast to be fined for.
                              Well the PC said, politely, very politely that city limit speed is 40 Kmph & I was going in 60 & he also showed the receipt.

                              I immediately accepted, said, I'll pay the fine, provided the receipt is given. He immediately agreed, went to his seniors got my message delivered. While I waited for a friend of mine to deliver Rs 300 for fine, he also offered me to wait inside the car with A/C turned ON. Trust me, haven't so polited cops.

                              I used to work inside Chennai ONE campus about 2 years ago & hence that stretch.
                              Skill is what keeps you on a Motorcycle
                              Awareness + Skill is what keeps you out of harm's way
                              ATGATT + Awareness + Skill means you might Live To Ride another day

                              Comment

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