A seemingly casual and dramatic gesture by Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar to inspect the under-construction Hebbal flyover has now landed in controversy, after it was revealed that the vehicle he used for the visit had a string of traffic violations.

The incident took place on August 5, when Shivakumar shared a video of himself arriving at the project site on a Honda Dio scooter, accompanied by a local party worker. Clad in sunglasses and a shawl, with a helmet strapped on, the deputy CM’s ride was clearly choreographed to send a message of ground-level involvement and accessibility.

But within hours, social media users and opposition parties uncovered that the scooter—bearing registration number KA04 JZ2087—had 34 pending traffic violations, totalling unpaid fines of Rs 18,500. The revelations quickly turned the optics of the visit from pro-people to problematic.

The BJP was quick to weaponize the blunder, sharing stills from Shivakumar’s ride and publicly flagging the fine details. They called out the government’s “hypocrisy” in promoting traffic discipline while its leaders themselves ignored basic rules. Adding to the embarrassment, it was found that another fine of Rs 500 had been incurred during the ride for the use of a half-face helmet, which does not comply with road safety norms.

The JD(S) joined the chorus of criticism, taking to social media to accuse the deputy CM of carelessness and disregard for the law. The party questioned whether the message being sent to citizens was that fines and rules apply selectively.

The owner of the scooter—a party worker who accompanied Shivakumar—reportedly visited the nearest police station and cleared all outstanding dues shortly after the controversy erupted. While this may resolve the legal aspect, the political fallout continues to ripple through Karnataka’s capital.