An Indian national has been charged in court after he allegedly attempted to bribe a Singapore police officer following an incident involving suspected drink driving and dangerous driving.
The 38-year-old man, identified as Raja Gopal Saravanakumar, appeared before the State Courts on Friday (31 July) on one count under the Prevention of Corruption Act.
According to a statement issued by the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB), the alleged offence took place on 17 June 2026 after the man was stopped by officers over suspected traffic offences. He is accused of offering money to a Singapore Police Force sergeant in an attempt to avoid enforcement action. The authorities did not disclose the amount allegedly offered.
The police officer rejected the offer on the spot, and the matter was subsequently referred to the CPIB for investigation.
Facing Multiple Traffic-Related Charges
The bribery charge comes in addition to six earlier charges under the Road Traffic Act.
Court documents allege that at around 1.40am on 17 June, the accused drove a lorry while under the influence of alcohol along Woodlands Avenue 4. He is also accused of driving dangerously by travelling approximately 200 metres against the flow of traffic before stopping the vehicle on a pedestrian walkway.
Separately, the man also faces allegations linked to another incident on 14 May. Prosecutors claim he rode a motorcycle after consuming alcohol along Jalan Bukit Merah, parked the motorcycle on the road, and refused to provide a breath specimen when requested by enforcement officers.
The accused informed the court that he intends to plead guilty. The case has been adjourned to 7 August for a guilty plea hearing.
Singapore Reaffirms Zero-Tolerance Approach to Corruption
Under Section 6 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, anyone convicted of corruption offences may face a fine of up to S$100,000, imprisonment of up to five years, or both.
In its statement, the CPIB reiterated Singapore’s firm zero-tolerance stance against corruption, stressing that every complaint or report of suspected corrupt activity is investigated, including anonymous reports.
Members of the public who encounter or suspect corrupt practices are encouraged to report the matter to the CPIB through its official reporting channels.
The latest case serves as a reminder that attempts to influence public officers through financial inducements are treated seriously in Singapore, regardless of the amount involved or the circumstances surrounding the alleged offence.