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What to do if a government officer asks for a bribe: 7 steps

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Short answer

Do not pay in a hurry. Ask in writing what the official fee is, note the date, place and amount, and if you choose, complain to DVAC with your name and contact details. If you were forced to pay, reporting within 7 days matters.

7 steps

  1. Pause before paying. Calmly ask "What is the official fee for this? Will you give a receipt?"
  2. Write down what happened: date, time, office, the officer’s designation, the amount asked, and the service.
  3. Keep your acknowledgement slip and copies of documents. See how to keep evidence.
  4. Ask about your file’s status through RTI; it creates an official record of the delay.
  5. You can write to a senior officer in the same office (for example the Tahsildar or Commissioner).
  6. If you decide to complain formally, approach the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC). See where to complain.
  7. You can record the experience anonymously on NoLanjam. That is not a complaint; it only adds to aggregate statistics.

What to avoid

  • Setting your own "trap". If DVAC acts on your complaint, follow their guidance only.
  • Secret recordings before checking the legal position, which is not straightforward. Ask a lawyer or DVAC.
  • Naming an officer on social media without evidence. Read the risks of unverified accusations.

Frequently asked questions

Will reporting on NoLanjam make an officer face action?

No. NoLanjam does not send information to any officer or authority. It is a statistics platform. For official action you must complain separately to a body such as DVAC.

Related guides

Bribery: what you can doIs giving a bribe also a crime? What the law saysWhether giving a bribe is an offence in India, what happens if you were forced, and what the 7-day rule under the Prevention of Corruption Act means.Bribery: what you can doWhere to complain about a bribe in Tamil Nadu: DVAC and other routesContact details for DVAC Tamil Nadu, options for central government employees, and what a good complaint contains.Right to Information (RTI)How to write an RTI application: 6 steps and a sample formatWhat to write in an RTI application, where to submit it and how to pay the fee, with a sample application you can copy.

Official sources

General information, not legal advice. NoLanjam is not a government body.