People pay fines in the form of cash to police when they defy traffic rules. But this time around, traffic policemen took a step ahead by taking bribe through online and because of which they have been suspended. Yes, as many as four traffic police personnel have been suspended for allegedly collecting bribes behind the scenes from those caught driving under the influence of alcohol in the city of Bengaluru.
After complaints from the public, top police officers have carried out a special drive on Sunday and then caught Assistant sub-inspector Muniyappa and constables Gangaraj, Nagaraj and Harsha, of Ashoknagar traffic police station in Bengaluru collecting the bribes using digital payments app.
Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic) B R Ravikanthe Gowda added that: “The four officers were taking money via digital payments unauthorised from the drunk drivers and they were acted illegally as they were neither tasked with checking drink-driving nor given alcometers. It is suspected that from past one month they were doing this and departmental inquiry is done.” he said according to The Indian Express.
The policemen had allegedly used to scare drunk drivers adding that they would have to pay Rs 15,000, or their vehicles would be seized immediately. They also privately bought alcometers and also recruited civilians to extort money, police added.
A case has been filed with the Viveknagar police station against the four traffic police officers for “extortion and misusing official position”. Three alcometers, Rs 32,000 cash and few driving licences have been recovered from them.