Officials forbidden to 'fish'

• Source: Global Times
• [09:53 June 11 2010]
• Comments

Sun Zhongjie waves to reporters outside the courthouse after being cleared of his charges last year. He was accused of operating an illegal taxi by crooked administrative officials. Photo: CF

By Zhang Cao

Local government authorities are planning to soon implement a ban that aims to crack down on traffic inspection officials, who misuse their power by accusing drivers of operating illegal taxis to collect penalty fines to line their own pockets.

The announcement of the first regulation of its kind for Shanghai was announced by the authorities on Wednesday, and comes as the one-year anniversary of the Sun Zhongjie case approaches this October.

The then 19-year-old was last year accused of running an illegal taxi after being tricked by traffic inspection officials, a malpractice widely known in China as "fishing for law enforce-ment."

The new regulation therefore makes a point of laying down the law for traffic inspection officials, who are not permitted to accept penalty fees as their personal income.

Luring, cheating and compiling false evidence, as well as physical violence are clearly stated as violations under the new policy. Traffic inspection officials are also not allowed to hire others to cooperate with them.

Those caught breaking the rules are subject to discipline, which in the worst case can result in job dismissal, an employee surnamed Gao, from the general office of the Legislative Affairs Office, told the Global Times Thursday.

Sun made national headlines when he cut off his finger last year to prove his innocence after falling victim to "government crooks."

Sun said that out of sympathy, he picked a man up on the street after the man whined that it was late and cold outside.

The man, who was asked by the traffic inspection officials to pose as an ordinary person, asked Sun to stop a few minutes later, jumped out of the vehicle, and threw 10 yuan ($1.46) at him for the ride.

Traffic inspection officials used the incident to claim that he was operating an illegal taxi before confiscating his mobile phone and driver's license, forcing him to sign a confession.

The officials then confiscated his vehicle, and Sun was asked to pay 10,000 yuan ($1,464) to get it back.

His case sparked national outrage, calling into question the credibility of law enforcement officials, which prompted the government to apologize to both the public and Sun, who was compensated some 2,000 yuan ($293) for his pain and suffering.