Dealing with the police in India can often be a frustrating and daunting process. In many cases a police officer might approach a foreign tourist in the hope of receiving a small bribe. This baksheesh culture is a sad situation in my opinion, but understanding how it works, means you can be better prepared for any encounters with the police should they occur.
For example, if you’re caught smoking a cigarette in a public place (something that’s officially illegal in India) or caught driving a motorcycle without a helmet (common practice but officially against the law) then often paying a police officer a few hundred rupees to walk away is better than being taken down to the police station.
On the other hand, if you find a police officer stopping and searching you for no apparent reason, then it might feel awkward and irrational to pay a bribe, but this might just be the simplest option if they become persistent and you just want to be left alone.
BE PREPARED FOR RANDOM POLICE CHECKS ON BUSES, TRAINS AND AT ROAD BLOCKS ON YOUR JOURNEY
Police checks are common in state and country border areas, especially in the Himalayan region and particularly during the months between September-December, when the bulk of cannabis is harvested and distributed out from that area. So be prepared for random bag searches at checkpoints along the way.
If you find yourself being searched (especially in these areas and during these times) then understand it’s just a normal protocol. It’s always best to comply, remain calm and and be polite. In many cases, the language barrier will be your saving grace and so long as you don’t have five kilos of hashish, then you should be just fine!
IF YOU'RE A VICTIM OF CRIME
If you’re unfortunate enough to be a victim of crime – have your belongings stolen for example – then it will be necessary to report this to the police and receive an official statement, especially if you wish to make a claim with your travel insurance company, as they won’t pay up without an official written statement from the police. The best way to deal with such situations is to go to the police station with a local. Often a hotel manager or tourist guide should be the best person to accompany you.
IF YOU'RE INVOLVED IN A CRIME
What would my Mum say if she knew I was writing a post advising criminals 😉 . For most petty cases involving foreigners, the police will want to resolve the matter there-and-then (away from the station), for the minute it becomes official, it means tonnes of paperwork for them to file. If you’re involved in any serious problems then never hesitate to get directly into contact with your country’s consular office as quickly as possible. Here’s the link to a directory of all consular offices in India…
DRUGS IN INDIA
Although cannabis (and to a lesser extent opium) naturally grows throughout most parts of northern India, the government takes the use of illegal drugs very seriously. Sadhus (holy men) are permitted to smoke hashish in public for religious purposes but the same rules definitely don’t apply for foreign tourists! There’s a minimum sentence of six months for possession of small amounts deemed for personal consumption only. A ten-year sentence for possession of other amounts applies. The judicial process is slow and pre-trial detention lasting several years is normal. The backsheesh culture of the police means if you’re caught then it might be possible to a pay a bribe and if it’s drugs related then that will most likely mean every single penny that you have! I’ve heard stories about travellers caught smoking hash at beach shacks in Goa, who have been taken to ATM machines by police officers and forced to withdraw and hand-over every single penny that they can! I can recall several occasions where I’ve seen police doing spot checks on tourists at beach shacks (especially at night) when they can’t be seen approaching. Rather than putting yourself into such situations, it’s strongly advisable to avoid all recreational drugs while visiting India and definitely don’t be so stupid as to smoke weed in public.
The laws on alcohol consumption vary from state-to-state so always check locally on the ground to see what the rules are. Taxes for alcohol again vary in different states, so you will find that prices can change quite significantly between locations.
POLITICAL VIOLENCEAND DEMONSTRATIONS
India is the largest democracy in the world and many areas give rise to political strikes and marches from time to time. These events can become quite rowdy and occasionally violent. It’s therefore best to avoid any demonstrations or large congregations of people and to monitor local news to make sure you don’t get caught up in anything you don’t wish to.
I always recommend to traveller’s coming from any country that you subscribe your email address with the British Government’s Foreign Travel Advice feed and opt in to receive email alerts for India prior to travel. This excellent service is not just available for India, but can be used for every country in the world and is by far the best way to stay up to date with any local issues affecting travellers in any particular area.