In India, there are some times scenarios where the Police would make the poor witness pay for by making him the guilty - a case that I have personally witnessed.
But its not about only the government, its not only about its also about people.
One of friends, who has a hotel, is used to pay hafta to police in the from of Biryanis at his hotel for free and INR 6000 a month so that they dont trouble him. He does that out of force, because otherwise the police then will create tantrums and create unwanted trouble for him. However, two days ago, he got beaten by a Police SI just because he was standing outside his hotel (closed) at 11.30 PM. He was taken to the Police station, charged of having his shop opened after prescribed time even though the Hotel was closed.
Since he was taken to the Police Station, he called up a couple of people he knows who are known to be powerful. After a couple of calls, he is let free with paying a small fine of INR 1200. The other constables who knew him told him that the S.I. normally does not do it, but reportedly his boss had asked him to extend his shift and has already handled 3 very difficult cases since the morning. The only reason he could have hit my friend is because he was pissed with his boss!
Though my friend was right in this scenario, him calling up powerful people in his contacts and his subsequent release quickly is a sign that we are all aware off, and which leads to people be let off in case of crimes. Police & people should be following the law always, and not act based on your state of mind.