Man arrested after driving lorry dangerously in Teban Gardens, allegedly tried to bribe officers to let him go with S$150

He had also allegedly driven while intoxicated.

Seri Mazliana

November 26, 2024, 01:23 PM

A 32-year-old man in Singapore was charged on Nov. 26 in court for allegedly offering a bribe to two auxiliary police officers in June 2024.

According to a press release by the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB), Sellakkannu Karuppusamy, an Indian national, allegedly hoped the bribe would get him released from police custody.

He was also charged for allegedly driving a lorry without due care and while intoxicated.

Allegedly offered S$150 to officers

Sellakkannu had allegedly offered a S$150 bribe to the two Certis Cisco officers on or around Jun. 13.

This occurred at the junction of West Coast Road and Penjuru Road, where he was stopped by the two officers after he was observed to be driving a lorry dangerously.

He then offered the money in order to be released from custody.

The officers rejected the bribe.

Sellakkannu was arrested by the Traffic Police for suspected drink driving after failing the breathalyser test.

His alleged bribery attempt was subsequently referred to the CPIB.

If found guilty for corruption, Sellakannu may be jailed for up to five years, a fine of up to S$100,000, or both.

CPIB said Singapore has a "strict zero-tolerance approach" towards corruption, and said it looks into "all corruption-related complaints and reports, including anonymous ones".

Those seeking to lodge a complaint about corrupt conduct can do so via CPIB's website here, email [email protected], call CPIB's duty officer at 1800-376-0000, or write to the CPIB at 2 Lengkok Bahru, Singapore 159047.

Other charges and possible penalties

Sellakkannu was also charged for traffic offences, apart from his alleged corruption case.

He was handed one charge each for driving a lorry without due care and attention along the Ayer Rajah Expressway, and driving while under the influence of alcohol.

If found guilty for driving without due care and attention, he may be fined between S$2,000 and S$10,000, jailed up to 12 months, or both.

If found guilty driving while under the influence of alcohol, he may be fined between S$2,000 and S$10,000, jailed for up to 12 months, or both.

Repeat offenders convicted of driving while under the influence of alcohol may be fined between S$5,000 and S$20,000, and jailed for up to two years.

They may also face disqualification from driving all classes of vehicles.