Karnataka govt vehicles owe ₹19.23 crore in traffic fines; police logged 3,366 cases

The Karnataka State Police Complaints Authority (KSPCA) has written to the Chief Secretary seeking immediate recovery of over ₹19.23 crore in pending traffic fines imposed on government vehicles, including those belonging to the police. The move follows a review of data from the Home Department, which showed 82,478 traffic violation cases registered against government vehicles of various departments over the past three-and-a-half years. Fines totalling ₹19,23,72,500 are yet to be paid, according to the letter written by KSPCA member Mohan Kumar Danappa.

The data reveal that police department vehicles alone accounted for 3,366 of the violation cases. This has raised concerns within the authority about the example being set by a force tasked with enforcing traffic laws. In one notable instance, a police emergency patrol vehicle in Mysuru was booked 71 times for seat belt violations between July 2024 and June 10, 2026, accumulating fines of ₹36,500, according to reports. The large number of violations by a single vehicle reflects the broader pattern of traffic rule violations by state-owned vehicles.

The KSPCA highlighted that repeated violations by police and other government vehicles have generated criticism on social media. Citizens have questioned how police personnel can penalise ordinary motorists while their own vehicles frequently flout rules. Mr. Danappa alleged that the failure of the departments to recover the outstanding amount reflects negligence. This criticism comes at a time when road safety is a major focus for both the central and state governments.

“The police, being a disciplined force responsible for traffic regulation, law and order, and crime prevention, must set an example by adhering to traffic rules,” he wrote. “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.”

Mr. Danappa further argued that the public’s perception of a two-tier justice system—one for government vehicles and another for ordinary motorists—undermines confidence in traffic enforcement. He urged the Chief Secretary to direct the Home Department to recover the fines immediately and to conduct a comprehensive verification of all government vehicles provided to various departments.

The issue carries significant weight beyond the financial amount. Unpaid challans on government vehicles point to a systemic lapse in accountability. For private citizens, unpaid fines often lead to consequences such as licence suspension or prosecution. However, government departments frequently escape such actions due to administrative delays and lack of coordination, creating what amounts to a de facto exemption. Traffic safety experts have long argued that such exemptions, even if unintentional, weaken the deterrent effect of penalties and hinder efforts to create a level field for compliance.

While the KSPCA’s recommendations are advisory, the authority’s findings often prompt administrative action. The state’s response to this particular letter could set a precedent for how traffic violations by government agencies are handled in the future.

The KSPCA’s letter now puts the onus on the state government to respond. The Chief Secretary will decide whether to move the Home Department to expedite recoveries and enforce traffic discipline across the administration. The outcome is likely to be closely watched, as it will demonstrate whether the state machinery is willing to apply the same standards to itself that it imposes on citizens. For the common citizen, this will be a signal of whether the government is serious about road safety or merely enforcing rules selectively.