An assistant sub inspector and a head constable, attached to The Halasuru Gate traffic station, have been suspended for allegedly taking ₹2,500 from a Kerala-based businessman, after threatening him to foist a violation case on him and fine him ₹20,000 on June 10.
The accused, Mahesh D.C. and Gangadharappa, who were on duty at Devanga Junction intercepted the car of Santosh Kumar for a random vehicle check and objected to him carrying a wash basin in the car, said the police.
The duo threatened him that it amounted to a traffic violation and asked him to pay ₹20,000 in the court. After reasoning, the duo agreed to take ₹2,500 and let him go without issuing a receipt.
Mr. Kumar raised a complaint with the Traffic Department online seeking action. Based on the complaint, B.R. Ravikanthe Gowda, Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic), ordered an enquiry.
A probe revealed that the duo did not wear body cameras and stopped the car randomly to check documents, which amounts to negligence and misconduct.
Mr. Gowda suspended the duo as part of disciplinary action against them.
It may be recalled that Mr. Gowda had directed the traffic police not to conduct random vehicle checks but enforce traffic rules through contactless measures, such as enforcement, hand-held, and body cameras.
