Bengaluru: A head constable attached to the Pulakeshinagar Traffic Police Station has been suspended after allegations surfaced that he accepted a ₹5,000 bribe from a lorry driver in connection with a traffic case that legally required a court to determine the penalty.

The suspended officer has been identified as Head Constable Somashekhar. The suspension order was issued by East Division Traffic Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Sahil Bagla following allegations of misconduct and dereliction of duty.

Lorry driver booked under BNS Section 285

The incident relates to a case registered against lorry driver Syed Afroz, who was allegedly found driving a truck loaded with iron on St John’s Main Road during peak traffic hours on the evening of July 18.

Police booked the driver under Section 285 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), alleging that the vehicle was obstructing the smooth movement of the public.

Under the law, offences registered under BNS Section 285 require the accused to appear before a court, where the judge decides the amount of the fine.

Driver alleges officer demanded money

According to the allegations, Head Constable Somashekhar told the driver that the vehicle could be released if he paid ₹5,000. Believing this, the driver allegedly handed over the cash and secretly recorded the transaction on his mobile phone.

However, the driver later learnt that the case had still been registered and that he was legally required to appear before the court and pay the fine determined by the judge.

Realising that the payment had not exempted him from the legal process, Syed Afroz submitted a complaint to senior police officials along with the alleged video recording of the cash transaction.

Department orders suspension

Following a preliminary examination of the complaint, the police department initiated disciplinary action. Based on allegations that the officer accepted money while on duty and violated official procedures, Head Constable Somashekhar has been placed under suspension.

The suspension order was issued by East Division Traffic DCP Sahil Bagla, while further departmental proceedings are expected to determine the facts surrounding the allegations.