3 traffic cops caught in the act; suspended

Three traffic policemen have been suspended for allegedly accepting bribes from motorists.

Traffic police constable Prashanth Kumar and assistant sub-inspector (ASI) Sampangi of Adugodi traffic police station and constable Obalesh of Ashokanagar station have been suspended.

MA Saleem, additional commissioner of police (traffic), said the police received several complaints against the trio, who, it is alleged, were focused on collecting bribes instead of controlling road traffic.

Kumar was suspended based on two charges. On November 30, he was posted at Srinivagilu junction when he stopped a biker Rathnesh, who was negotiating a U-turn at Koramangala Water Tank. He let Rathnesh go after collecting a bribe of Rs100.

On the same day, he stopped another biker, Darshan, at Koramangala 100 ft Road and asked him to produce his driving licence. When Darshan told him he had left his licence at home, Kumar demanded a bribe of Rs1,000. When Darshan said he did not have money with him, Kumar insisted on Darshan giving the money. Later, Darshan called a friend, who came and gave Kumar Rs200.

Sampangi was suspended for threatening to file a case against a biker if he failed to give him Rs700 as bribe. 

On December 1, Sampangi stopped TS Chethan Kumar on Koramangala Ring Road for displaying the number plate in Kannada. He demanded Rs700 as bribe. Finally, he took Rs100 and let him go.

Obalesh was suspended for taking a bribe of Rs60 from a biker. On December 2, he was posted near Anepalya Junction on Bannerghatta Road.

He stopped biker Muniraj and asked him for the vehicle documents. Since the emission test certificate was missing among the papers, he demanded Rs100 from Muniraj. Finally, he collected Rs60 from Muniraj and let him go.