In the novel, this concept is illustrated through Mr. Bepo’s experience while trying to renew his international passport:

The term refers to excessive bureaucracy or adherence to official rules and formalities that prevent or delay action.

Bepo faced numerous hurdles, including tales of new rules, hassles for applicants, and the non-availability of booklets. Although the government claimed the process could be done online without bribes, Bepo found that the online system was deliberately slow or erratic to frustrate applicants. Because of these excessive formalities, Bepo felt forced to use an "agent" to bypass the crowd and expedite the capturing process.

This whole ordeal can be found in chapter 10 of the novel.