Bellary: The Lokayukta police have arrested Nagesh Kumar, a first-class assistant at the Regional Transport Office (RTO) in Bellary, for accepting a ₹1,000 bribe from Mohammad Purkan in exchange for renewing his driving license. The arrest followed a complaint lodged by Purkan, who alleged that Nagesh demanded the bribe to expedite the renewal process.
Purkan, a resident of Nagar, reported the incident to the Lokayukta, leading to a trap set by the police. On Wednesday, they apprehended Nagesh while he was accepting the bribe. This case has highlighted ongoing issues of corruption within the RTO system, emphasizing the need for stringent measures to combat such practices.
The timing of this arrest is notable as it follows a recent conflict between Nagesh Kumar and local driving school owners. The dispute arose over the RTO’s new policy of sending digital driving licenses by post rather than handing them over in person. Both parties had previously filed complaints at the Brucepet police station, leading to a heated exchange.
Nagesh Kumar is accused of assaulting a driving school owner and using abusive language regarding the postal delivery system. However, he has refuted these claims, alleging instead that the driving school owner was aggressive towards an applicant who queried about the new process.
The Lokayukta police have initiated legal proceedings against Nagesh Kumar. The investigation is ongoing, and the outcome will be closely monitored to ensure accountability and uphold the integrity of the RTO’s operations.