Pramesh S Jain
Advocate S.Nataraja Sharma has lodged a complaint with the Karnataka Transport Commissioner alleging systematic collection of monthly bribes from Kerala-registered tourist bus operators to facilitate the movement of their vehicles in Karnataka,and sought an independent investigation into the alleged involvement of certain Regional Transport Office (RTO) officials, Inspection of Motor Vehicles (IMVs) and an intermediary identified as Guru.
In his complaint dated October 13,Sharma alleged that bus operators were making monthly payments ranging from ₹16,000 to ₹30,000 per bus through UPI transactions to facilitate the movement of their vehicles through routes and locations including Attibele, Electronic City,Majestic and Devanahalli.
The allegations reportedly emerged during discussions in a WhatsApp group titled ‘Bus Owners of India’.
According to the complaint,Shreeraj Nair of Diya Travels, subsequently stated to be operating as SFS Travels, allegedly reported paying ₹26,000 a month and shared screenshots purportedly supporting his claim.
Riyaz of Sona Travels allegedly referred to monthly payments of around ₹30,000 per bus,while Adhil Siddik reportedly claimed that he paid approximately ₹16,000 a month to Guru for crossing the Attibele border.
Another operator,Manish of Salabham Travels, reportedly shared payment screenshots and audio recordings.
The complainant alleged that Guru,whose telephone number has been furnished to the authorities,was acting as an intermediary in the purported collection of money.
The complaint also refers to an alleged 60:40 arrangement, with 60 per cent reportedly attributed to tax and 40 per cent allegedly collected as a bribe. These claims are yet to be independently verified.
Sharma alleged that buses whose operators did not make the purported payments were sometimes detained and taken to RTO offices,where substantial amounts were allegedly demanded in connection with taxes and other charges.
He sought an examination of UPI transactions,bank records,call detail records,vehicle inspection and detention registers, tax receipts, duty rosters and the original electronic evidence shared by the operators.
The advocate urged the Transport Commissioner to refer the matter to the competent vigilance or anti-corruption agency,including the Karnataka Lokayukta Police,if warranted.
He also sought an audit of Kerala-registered tourist buses entering Karnataka through Attibele and other routes to establish whether applicable taxes had been paid and whether enforcement action had been selectively applied.
Sharma said this was his second complaint concerning alleged irregularities in the Transport Department. He referred to an earlier complaint regarding fitness certificates allegedly issued without physical inspection, which he said had resulted in the dismissal of a senior IMV in January 2026.
The complaint seeks appropriate disciplinary and criminal action against public servants and private individuals found involved, in accordance with law.
The allegations against the persons named remain unverified,and no official response to the latest complaint was provided in the material made available.
