Three law enforcement officials in Gurugram have been suspended following allegations of accepting a bribe from a Japanese tourist. The incident, which gained traction after a video went viral on social media, involved a traffic police zonal officer, a constable, and a home guard.
The tourist, identified as Kaito, was stopped near Galleria Market for riding as a passenger on a scooter without wearing a helmet on August 25. According to Indian traffic regulations, this violation carries a penalty of ₹1,000. However, the situation escalated when the officers allegedly insisted on a cash payment and refused to accept digital payments, raising suspicions of a bribe.
In the widely circulated video, Kaito can be heard inquiring about using a Visa card, to which one of the officers responded, "No Visa touch," and stated, "Pay here or in court". The tourist then handed over two ₹500 notes, but no official receipt was issued. Unbeknownst to the officers, Kaito was wearing Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses that recorded the entire exchange, capturing the officers counting the cash.
The video quickly spread across social media platforms, drawing strong reactions from the public. One user reposted the footage on X (formerly Twitter), commenting, "WTH! Gurugram cops took Rs 1000 bribe from a Japanese tourist without even giving a receipt. This is how they ruin India's image abroad". The clip has since garnered nearly 200,000 views.
In response to the public outcry, the Gurugram Traffic Police issued a statement confirming the suspension of the three personnel involved: Zonal Officer ESI Karan Singh, Constable Shubham, and Home Guard Bhupender. The department reiterated its "zero tolerance" policy against corruption and emphasized its commitment to maintaining the highest standards of integrity in public service. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Rajesh Mohan stated that cash is not to be accepted unless the challaning machine is defunct.
Interestingly, Kaito expressed amazement at the swift action taken by the authorities, noting that the officers were suspended within nine hours of the video going viral. He thanked Indian netizens for their support and described the encounter as a "funny" end to an otherwise scam-free journey through India. He also remarked that he considered the bribe as "pocket money" for the officers.
