Sergeant sent off duty after bribery, harass plaint
Times of India | 30 July 2026
Kolkata: A private bus owner from South 24 Parganas, Lal Mohan Das, has lodged a complaint against a Kolkata police traffic sergeant, Jagannath Soren, alleging bribery, harassment, and the unlawful imposition of traffic fine on Tuesday morning following a dispute at the intersection of Diamond Harbour Road and Burdwan Road off Majerhat Bridge.
The sergeant has been taken off duty pending the initial enquiry, said cops. Das alleged that Soren forcibly stopped the fully loaded passenger vehicle and demanded a bribe of Rs 500 from the bus staff, identified as Bipul Bhandari and Panchu Gopal Das. When the crew refused to comply, the sergeant reportedly misbehaved with them and harassed them in front of the commuters.
Following vocal protests from the stranded passengers and the vehicle’s crew, the officer allowed the bus to resume its journey. However, Das received an automated text message at 9.32 am informing him his vehicle had been prosecuted under section 184 of the Motor Vehicles Act for dangerous driving, incurring a fine of Rs 5,000. Das alleged that Soren issued the penalty out of spite.