The Karnataka State Police Complaints Authority has written to the Chief Secretary seeking immediate action to recover more than ₹19.23 crore in pending traffic fines imposed on government vehicles, including those belonging to the police.

According to data furnished by the Home Department, 82,208 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. The Police Department vehicles alone accounted for 3,366 traffic violation cases during the period.

Mr. 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 seat belt violations 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 the public.

In his letter, Mr. Danappa alleged that the failure of the departments concerned 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,” Mr. Danappa said in his letters, highlighting the growing public criticism over what he described as different standards for government vehicles and ordinary motorists.

He 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.