Karnataka seeks recovery of ₹19.23 crore in unpaid traffic fines from government vehicles

The Karnataka State Police Complaints Authority (KSPCA) has written to the Chief Secretary, demanding immediate recovery of over ₹19.23 crore in unpaid traffic fines imposed on government vehicles across the state. The move follows data showing a high number of violations by official vehicles, including those of the police.

According to information furnished by the Home Department, 82,208 traffic violation cases were registered against government vehicles from various departments over the past three-and-a-half years. Of these, fines totalling ₹19,23,72,500 remain unpaid, said KSPCA member Mohan Kumar Danappa in his letter.

Police department vehicles alone accounted for 3,366 of these violation cases during the same period. Danappa also cited recent reports of a police emergency patrol vehicle in Mysuru being booked 71 times for seat belt violations between July 2024 and June 10, 2026, accumulating fines of ₹36,500.

The repeated violations by police and other government vehicles have drawn criticism on social media, especially since police personnel routinely enforce traffic rules and collect fines from the public. Danappa alleged that the failure of departments to recover the outstanding amount reflects negligence.

He stressed that the Police Department, being a disciplined force responsible for traffic regulation, law and order, and crime prevention, must set an example by adhering to traffic rules. "If the police, who enforce the law, do not follow the law themselves, it becomes difficult to expect the public to comply with traffic rules," he said, highlighting growing public criticism over what he described as different standards for government vehicles and ordinary motorists.

Danappa urged the Chief Secretary to direct the Home Department to recover the outstanding fines immediately and undertake a comprehensive verification of all government vehicles provided to various departments.