Mangaluru: Kadri traffic cop caught red-handed accepting bribe; Lokayukta nabs officer

Mangaluru: Kadri traffic cop caught red-handed accepting bribe; Lokayukta nabs officer

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, July 10, 2025: In a major anti-corruption operation, Karnataka Lokayukta officials on Wednesday (July 10, 2025) trapped and arrested a traffic police officer from Kadri Traffic Police Station while he was accepting a bribe of Rs 5,000 from a complainant to release his original driving license.

According to a press release issued by the Karnataka Lokayukta, Dakshina Kannada division, the case pertains to a traffic accident that occurred at Nanthoor Circle involving the complainant’s Babtu car and a scooter. A case in connection with the accident had been registered at the Kadri Traffic Police Station. As instructed by police staff member Taslim (CHC 322), the complainant submitted the vehicle and related documents at the station.

However, when the complainant later approached the station to retrieve the vehicle, it was alleged that Taslim demanded a bribe of Rs 50,000 to release it. Although the complainant involved a lawyer to negotiate the release, the vehicle was not returned immediately, and instead, Taslim reportedly took the complainant’s mobile phone by force and only then released the vehicle.

Further, when the complainant requested his mobile phone back, Taslim allegedly demanded the original driving license and again insisted on a bribe of Rs 50,000 to return the phone. After submitting the license, the complainant was informed that Rs 30,000 should be handed over via another staff member, CHC 451 Vinod. On July 9, when the complainant returned to the police station, Taslim allegedly refused to return the license unless he was paid Rs 5,000 and rudely dismissed the complainant when he offered only Rs 500.

Unwilling to pay a bribe for a lawful service, the complainant approached the Karnataka Lokayukta Police Station in Mangaluru and filed a complaint. Following this, a trap was set, and on July 10, 2025, Taslim was caught red-handed accepting Rs 5,000 from the complainant.

The operation was conducted under the guidance of Sri Kumarachandra, SP-in-charge of Karnataka Lokayukta, Mangaluru Division. The trap was executed by Lokayukta DySP Dr. Gana P. Kumar, Inspectors Suresh Kumar P., Bharati G., and Chandrashekhar K.N., along with other Lokayukta personnel.

A case has been registered against both Taslim (CHC 322) and Vinod (CHC 451), and further investigation is underway.