PCC is a document issued by the passport office which assures that the concerned person has not done any crime in the past. But to get a PCC in India you should have done/have to do minimum one crime(as bribing is also a CRIME), otherwise you won’t get one. Surprising! I feel shame about it. Here is my experience.
I neededPCC for my Belgian Visa and I was living in Hyderabad that time. But, I preferred to apply PCC from Mumbai as my passport was issued there. HR insisted me to apply from Hyderabad as they believed that they can influence the local police in Hyderabad.
I made my first visit to the Hyderabad PPO(passport office) to collect the application form. Then I visited again to submit the application. They gladly accepted it and asked me to visit them after a week to know the outcome.
I went there a week later. They introduced the first uncertain climate in my journey to get the PCC. They told that my file was sent to the Commissioner of Police office in Hyderabad for address verification as my passport was not issued at Hyderabad. Excellent! I need to go again to COP office, but this time it was to Hyderabad Office instead of Mumbai.
Alright, I was already in the game so I decided to think how to make the move. The major advantage in Hyderabad is, it is easier and cheaper to travel to every nook and corner by an auto (a three wheeled private taxi service in India). This is not possible in Mumbai as the city is spanned across a massive area and autos are not allowed to ply inside the city centre limits. I also thanked the God for saving me from the ever crowded Mumbai electric trains (Metro trains of India).
Nextday ,went to Hyderabad Commissioner of Police office at 8.30am. Enjoyed watching the "parade"
played in Honor of the commissioner. (I still don't understand why such a expensive honor is needed for a commissioner, that too everyday). They asked to come after 10am. After a lengthy security check process they let me go inside at 10.30a.m.Mr. M , HR person from my company was so sad his helplessness and the privileges he lost (like-getting inside passport /cop office and picking up the files needed for him etc, etc.,). Still he gave me a reference of Mr. B , who works in COP office and usually takes bribe to do the work.
I finally found Mr. B and explained him the problem, he made a big "Kumbidu (please leave me kind of gesture)" and said he can't help me. He also asked me inform Mr. M not to give his name to anyone else as that might spoil his reputaion(Great! he changed for good).
Mr.R , another gentleman, who works in the same office called me (he speaks a little Tamil too). and said due to some internal problems Mr. B doesn't accept bribe anymore. He assured that he can help me (person to replace Mr.B is ready) and had a look at my passport.
Then, Mr. R said to me: "oho. You just came back from Belgium ? Didn't you bring some foreign cigarette (why on earth I will bring that?), Atthar- Kittar? My daughter likes perfume. Didn't u bring any ladies perfume for you from Belgium? (He didn't even wait for my answer and continued) I will send Mr. C (police man) to your house tomorrow morning to verify your address, give all these items to him and he will give it to me".
I just nodded my head and came out with a shock of being asked for bribe so bravely (all this happens inside Commissioner's office,Great !!).
Later learnt from my hubby that this "Attar-Kittar" is nothing but a kind of perfume. Why on the earth Burma bazaar's (place where they sell foreign goods) are there in every city? Went there and bought the so called "attar (two different brands)", cigarettes and "perfume" too for his daughter. As I was smart enough (at least that's what I felt at that moment ;-) ) I bought the same items for Mr. C also.
Next day "Mr. C" came in police jeep but he was in mufti (looked like a local thug). He sat very comfortably on our chair(near table) and filled the forms (as if it was his office) and then asked me to get two witness signatures from my neighbors. It was very nice of him that he did his duty perfectly, unfortunately to do this I need to bribe him. Hmmm. Gave him the products. He gave one "Aassatu (smiling in shy)" smile and asked me "O! Did "Mr. R" ask for it?" and collected them. In return of his duty, I then handed him another package saying that it was for him. He happily left the place.
Assuming that everything will go smooth I went to Pune. When I went to PPO after a week , was very surprised to find that they have not received my file from commissioner's office.
will continue in next post....
