Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru

Mangaluru, Jan 27: The Karnataka Lokayukta, Mangaluru division, has registered a case against a police inspector and a station writer of the Mangaluru North Traffic Police Station for demanding a bribe to release a complainant’s scooter as per a court order.

According to the Lokayukta press release, the complainant approached Police Inspector Mohammed Sharif after the court directed the release of their scooter. The inspector allegedly demanded Rs 5,000 as a bribe. When the complainant requested a reduction, the inspector directed them to meet the station writer, Nagarathna (HC 778). The station writer reportedly abused the complainant and demanded Rs 3,000 as a bribe. Unwilling to pay a bribe for a lawful process, the complainant reported the matter to the Lokayukta Police Station in Mangaluru.

On January 27, Lokayukta officials laid a trap and caught Inspector Mohammed Sharif and constable Praveen Naik (CPC 838) red-handed while accepting Rs 3,000 as instructed by the inspector. Both were taken into custody, and an investigation is underway.

The operation was conducted under the guidance of Dr Nandini B N, superintendent of police (in-charge), Karnataka Lokayukta, Mangaluru. The team included deputy superintendent of police Dr Gana P Kumar, inspectors Amanulla A and Chandrashekar K N, and Inspector Manjunath from Udupi Lokayukta police station, along with other officials from Mangaluru and Udupi Lokayukta units.