Again we drove to the police station with Kiran. This time we sat and waited for about 1/2 hour and then the Inspectors assistant came out. He needed to go to our house to verify that we lived there. We drove to the house he came in and looked around. He saw Annie and pinched her checks, got back in the car and told us that now all that needed to be done was to have the Inspector's signature. He was at the station today and could sign it as soon as we got there. We walked into the station and again we can't understand anything being said, but were told to sit and wait. The Inspector had apparently gone to get some lunch and would be back in 1/2 an hour. As we sat and waited we again witnesses a few cases coming in, and watched how things were done. I do have to note here that I now have witnessed how drivers know everything. The minute people would start walking in the door, ViJay, who was waiting in the car would casually walk in like he was going to ask us a question, then a minute later he would have his head stuck right in the middle of the conversation, listening and making judgement as to who was guilty, or what should be done.
The first case to come in was a man, a lady, 3 kids and about 5 other men. When they came in they started speaking with the officers. The officers start to hit the man, slapping his shoulder at first and then punching his arm when they didn't get the reaction they wanted, and then a big stick came out. Again I had no clue what was being said, but later Vijay interpreted what had happened. Apparently the husband beats his wife and doesn't trust her. She had to get a job because he drinks and doesn't pay the bills. He thinks she is selling her body and beats her more. Finally she can't handle it any longer and pours kerosene on herself. The 4 men caught her trying to light the match to take her life. A lady came out and I can only assume it is a "social worker" type lady to help with the kids.
The next case to come in is a man who wants a divorce from his wife. Yes they are arranged marriages and apparently he didn't want her anymore. He had taken her dowry and now wants a divorce, but she doesn't want to get divorced until he pays her for the jewelry and things he has taken from her. Instead of beating this man because he wants a divorce, they make him clean up the Police Station after they had hung a picture. And then he still doesn't get to get a divorce.
Hanging the picture was an interesting thing to watch also. Alan and I entertained ourselves by making up the conversations that they were having. A man brought over a chair. The plastic lawn chair type. The other man looks at it and says something. "I'm to short to reach with only that chair" (our interpretation) The first man brings 3 more chairs to stack on top of it. "Are you kidding? I'm still not tall enough to reach." This is when I said to Alan, he should stand on a table instead of the chairs. The next thing I know....
By this time I pulled out the camera. Before this, I was afraid they would beat me for taking pictures so I didn't dare, but I couldn't resist.
The next case came in, a man who has lost his wife and 2 kids.
After 2 hours we finally decided to walk outside to get some air. This is where they tow all the motorbikes that have been illegally parked.
We also saw a really creepy spider. I hope I don't see it alive again!
By this time Kiran tells us that we can go get some lunch and that he will wait for the inspector. He will call us if he comes and we can hurry back. We went to lunch at Chili's and got a phone call from Kiran to say that the Inspector wasn't coming back today. What a waste of another day!! Hopefully he'll sign our papers and we can get our visas renewed before they kick us out of here and Tracy and Katie come.
Side note: as we were leaving for lunch they had found the mans wife and 2 kids. It was a happy ending. I also saw the girl that didn't want the divorce. She had been married for 3 years already and was only 18. Soon to be posted...Day 3 at the Police Station. I think I'm going to take more pictures next time. "The Rouge List" and "The Wanted Poster" are 2 that I didn't dare to take last time, but I think I'll get brave.
1 comment:
That's not even funny!!! You better get them by the time we come. Our flights are booked and we are going to be on our way.
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