Bhatkal PSI suspended for allegedly collecting traffic fines in bank account of gold trader

Bhatkal: 26 August 2024 (Bhatkallys News Bureau)  A controversy involving Bhatkal PSI Yellappa Madara has intensified after District Superintendent of Police (SP) M Narayan provided clarifications on recent allegations. The situation came to light following a report by the local Kannada news portal, Kannada Vani, which claimed that PSI Yellappa had been collecting traffic violation fines via QR code payments or in cash, with the funds allegedly being transferred to the account of a gold trader, Vinayak Maruti Shet.

SP Narayan explained that the incident occurred when a motorist named Udaya Naik, who was fined for a traffic violation, lacked the necessary cash to pay the penalty. Naik reportedly used a UPI app to transfer the fine amount to Vinayak Maruti Shet, a gold trader who is known to both Naik and PSI Yellappa. According to the SP, the money was subsequently transferred to PSI Yellappa's account.

However, this explanation has not quelled the growing concerns. The Kannada Vani portal has raised questions about the accuracy of the SP's clarification, noting inconsistencies in the details provided. Specifically, the portal questioned the claim that the gold trader was physically present during the transaction, suggesting instead that the trader's mobile signal should have been tracked to verify his location. The report also highlighted the fact that PSI Yellappa did not use his body camera during the incident, further raising concerns about the transparency of the process.

There are also suspicions that this may not have been an isolated incident, with doubts emerging about whether other motorists were similarly directed to deposit fines into the same private account.

In light of the controversy and the public's concerns, the Uttara Kannada District Police have suspended PSI Yellappa Madara pending a departmental inquiry. The suspension was prompted by an investigation that found PSI Yellappa had breached departmental regulations by collecting fines and channeling the money through a private account before withdrawing the cash. The District Police Superintendent has confirmed the suspension and announced that an internal investigation is underway to thoroughly examine the matter.