Bengaluru
In a coordinated and unannounced operation, teams consisting of Karnataka Lokayukta police and judicial personnel conducted surprise raids on all Regional Transport Offices (RTOs) in Bengaluru. The operation, initiated in response to multiple public complaints regarding irregularities and pervasive corruption within the RTOs, aimed to uncover and address these allegations. Lokayukta Justice BS Patil personally visited the Jayanagar and Rajajinagar RTOs, while Deputy Lokayukta Justice KN Phanindra oversaw operations at the Yelahanka and Yeshwantpur RTOs. The Lokayukta’s office had received numerous complaints from concerned citizens, prompting this decisive action. The Lokayukta officials confirmed the veracity of these allegations by meticulously gathering data on various aspects of RTO operations, including the number of applications for driving licenses and permits, pending applications and their reasons, instances of applications being rejected without explanation, and the presence of unauthorized agents engaging in illicit activities. To execute this operation effectively, the Lokayukta constituted ten specialized teams, which simultaneously targeted 12 RTOs in the city. Additionally, one of these teams extended its reach to the offices of private agents involved in RTO-related affairs, conducting thorough searches for evidence related to alleged wrongdoing. The operation reflects the Lokayukta’s commitment to upholding transparency and accountability within government institutions, ensuring that they serve the public’s best interests. The simultaneous raids have sent a strong message about the state’s resolve to combat corruption and malpractice within its administrative systems. The Lokayukta’s actions underscore the importance of safeguarding the integrity of government offices, particularly those that play a crucial role in regulating and overseeing transportation-related matters. Further developments are anticipated as the investigations into these allegations progress.
