Traffic cops accused of extorting motorists during DD checks

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: While the Bengaluru Traffic Police (BTP) have initiated a special drive to keep a check on drunk motorists in the city, a few personnel have been accused of extorting money from vehicle drivers under the pretext of conducting drink and drive checks.

In a latest incident, a resident of Bengaluru, Koshi Vargese, has alleged that his daughter was extorted of Rs 5000 by a traffic personnel after accusing her of driving under the influence of alcohol during a check.

Vargese took to X and sharing the ordeal, posted, "Around 11 pm on Friday, my daughter was returning home on her scooter when she was stopped by a traffic personnel in Jeevan Bhima Nagar Traffic Police Station limits. The personnel without taking an alcohol test accused her of driving under the influence of alcohol and demanded Rs 15,000 from her," the resident said.

Further he alleged that the policemen threatened to seize his daughter's vehicle if she refused to pay the amount.

Scared by the harassment, she allegedly paid the amount through a Unified Payments Interface (UPI) app following which she was allowed to go.

The resident tagged the Bengaluru Police Commissioner B Dayananda and the Jeevan Bhima Nagar Traffic Police in his post.

The City Police Commissioner responded to the message and later obtained the contact details of the resident and other information required for an investigation.

Similar allegations were made by several residents last year following which the Bengaluru police decided to send decoys in a bid to counter the alleged corruption while booking Drunk and Driving cases.

The Bengaluru Police Commissioner has made it mandatory for all patrolling personnel to wear body cameras during their operations.

Meanwhile the traffic police have been cracking down upon the motorists involved in various traffic offences including drunk and drive, performing wheelies, covering the vehicle registration number plate and also carrying pending fines of above Rs 50,000.