A Bengaluru resident’s story of facing harassment by a traffic police officer stunned people online. In a detailed post on X, Mahendra, a Bengaluru citizen, alleged that his road breach was mishandled and exploited by an officer. Having reportedly been stopped by the officer for violations in Devanahalli, Mahendra said he was willing to pay the regular fine for it.
However, what followed left him in utter shock and disbelief. “The cop snatched my bike keys in the middle of the road, used abusive language, and openly said: ‘I’m the only person who can leave you. Whatever fine I say, you will pay’,” he claimed.
Bengaluru Man Alleges Traffic Officer Of Harassment
Later in his post, Mahendra accused the traffic officer of threatening him upon being
questioned over the procedure of reprimanding his violation. The Bengaluru man noted he was initially imposed a heavy fine of Rs 5,000 and wasn’t allowed to go until the sum was paid. Mahendra wrote that the traffic officer “made me wait 3 hours roadside and harassed me continuously” during the process.
Bangalore Traffic Police Harassment at it’s worst
Stopped in Devanahalli for traffic violations I accepted the challan. But the cop snatched my bike keys in the middle of the road, used abusive language, and openly said:
"I'm the only person who can leave you. Whatever fine I… pic.twitter.com/Si5rNxYnH6
— Mahendra (@Mahendra7353855) December 25, 2025
The local traveller also shared the footage of his interaction with the traffic officer. In the video, one could see the traveller requesting the officer to hand over his keys and let him go without being imposed such an alarming fine. But the angry officer ignored his plea and allegedly made an obscene middle-finger gesture towards him.
Man Let Go But Not Without Rs 3,000 Fine
In his post, the Bengaluru man further accused the traffic officer of taking him into custody at a nearby police station and only releasing his bike keys when he paid him Rs 3,000 as a fine. He shared a screengrab of his online payment to back the claim.
“I was forced to pay 3000 at the police station just to be allowed to leave. Where is professionalism? Where are ethics? Is questioning authority now a crime — law or pure ego?” he questioned.
The video left the online community in disbelief as they felt miffed at the traffic officer for allegedly mishandling the traffic violation and forcing a traveller into paying a heavier fine than due in normal circumstances.
Someone noted a body cam attached on the officer’s chest and wrote, “Is his body cam on. If yes, then evidence is there in it. If not, then he is not following the rules himself. He should be suspended for life.”
“What is he wearing the body cam for? Are these even reviewed daily by someone in the police system? In fact, is it even functioning?” commented another user.
Another individual reminded, “Indian laws robustly criminalise police extortion under the Indian Penal Code (IPC)/Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Prevention of Corruption Act (PCA), 1988, treating such acts as serious offences punishable by imprisonment and fines.”
The incident raised the possibility of traffic violations being mishandled by the road authorities, with officers on duty potentially intimidating and threatening travellers to overpay fines after being found in breach of the regulations.
Disclaimer: News18 could not verify the authenticity of the claim against the traffic officer in this case.
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