Pramesh S Jain
The Karnataka State Police Complaints Authority has written to the Chief Secretary seeking immediate action to recover more than Rs.19.23 crore in pending traffic fines imposed on government vehicles,including those belonging to the police department.
According to official data furnished by the Home Department,82,478 traffic violation cases were registered against government vehicles belonging to various departments over the past three-and-a-half years.
Of these, fines amounting to ₹19,23,72,500 remain unpaid,KSPCA,member,Mohan Kumar Danappa,in his letter to the chief secretary,said .
Police department vehicles alone accounted for 3,366 traffic violation cases during the period.
The number of cases was 21 in 2023,rose to 1,494 in 2024 and 1,251 in 2025, while 600 cases were recorded up to the end of July 2026.
Vehicles belonging to other government departments accounted for 82,478 cases during the period, with 1,055 cases in 2023, 35,832 in 2024, 38,282 in 2025 and 7,309 cases up to July 2026.
Danappa pointed to recent reports of repeated traffic violations by government vehicles, including a police emergency patrol vehicle in Mysuru that was booked 71 times for not wearing seat belts between July 2024 and June 10, 2026.The vehicle had accumulated fines of ₹36,500, according to reports.
The repeated violations by police and other government vehicles have drawn criticism on social media, particularly as police personnel routinely enforce traffic rules and collect fines from members of the public.
In his letter,Danappa said the official figures indicated that government vehicles themselves were among the major violators of traffic rules,while more than ₹19 crore in fines remained unpaid.
He alleged that the failure of the concerned departments to recover the outstanding amount reflected 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,”Danappa said in his communication,highlighting the growing public criticism over what he described as different standards for government vehicles and ordinary motorists.
Danappa has 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.
He has also sought directions to ensure that wherever traffic violation cases are pending against government vehicles,the concerned departments pay the fines without delay and take steps to prevent repeated violations.
The move comes amid growing concerns over government vehicles escaping or delaying payment of traffic penalties despite motorists being subjected to strict enforcement measures.
