The Karnataka High Court has dismissed proceedings against IPS officer Alok Kumar (IPS:1994:KN), who currently serves as ADGP (Traffic & Road Safety). The case involved allegations of bribery made by complainant B M Mallikarjuna, also known as Fighter Ravi, who claimed that an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) had demanded a bribe on behalf of Alok Kumar to resolve an altercation incident at the Orange Bar & Restaurant. Mallikarjuna asserted that he and his friends were involved in an altercation with the bar’s management, resulting in a case being filed against him. The complainant further alleged that the ACP had demanded a bribe of Rs one crore. According to Mallikarjuna, his distant relative, Putte Gowda, who worked as a PSI under Alok Kumar, was pressured for the money. Upon refusal, Putte Gowda was suspended.
In response, the police filed a ‘B’ report, and on December 13, 2022, the special court took cognizance of offenses punishable under sections 7, 13(1)(d) read with 13(2) of the PC Act against Alok Kumar. However, Justice M Nagaprasanna noted that there was no sanction granted for the petitioner’s prosecution before the Sessions Judge took cognizance of the offense. Therefore, the court has nullified the proceedings against the petitioner, with the possibility of resuming proceedings once a valid sanction from the competent authority is presented.
