Why I am an Outlaw

The whole system is geared for this. The agents at the RTO, who will do your job for you so that you do (or the cops) don't have to feel uncomfortable about the bribe you will pay. The unfriendly demeanour of the whole RTO set up, the sitting on files, until you pay up. Unless you are connected, no the system is hermetically sealed.

My in-good-shape RX-100 (manf 1991) was taken to the RTO for reregistration, the challan and green tax paid. The agent asked for Rs 600 to get the stamp on my papers. I balked. I had given too much to the system already.

The cops have no conscience. To them I am just another IT asshole who needs to pay so that their measly salary can be augmented. A sort of robin hoodesqe socialism. Rob the richer (if u can afford a bike, u can afford to spread that happiness a bit too, schmuck) and give to the poorer (i.e. self). And as no anomalies are allowed in the system, you have to be corrupt, else the spanner will be thrown in the works well and good for everyone. A sort of enforced peer pressure. Another reason not to take any load on the conscience.

After 3 trips to the RTO, I finally met an vehicle inspector. My papers were in order, my bike in excellent condition. Gave a critical look at the bike.

"You need to put a saree guard. And change the chain sprocket cover, there is some rust on it. And paint the bike again.. look it's chipped here."

The agent had warned me that this would happen. And it did. Every little pretext to stall the stamp.

The cop does not care whether my bike is in good running condition or not. He will pass a crap bike if the bribe is paid. That is how the system is.

There was a story, by Somerset Maugham, in which a criminal is tortured to death by a machine which inscribes with needles on the chest, the crime he commit ed, till the man bled/was mangled to death. The cop in the story always looked for the point at which realisation came to the man, invariably just before his death, as to what the message was.

It was like that at the RTO. I finally saw the message.

Enough of the system! I am now an outlaw. I drive a vehicle with an expired registration.