These things gonna increase considering the BJP controls most of these depts, and they don't like the fact that people chose different party over there. Either way, it's a common practice throughout the country.You can't even work peacefully in India. What kind of future someone was talking about? it is darker than the black paint.
Anyway, I would have taken court dates. Practically, these are not binding. It's easier to settle such fines after a few years in a lok adalat for a huge discount.