A LinkedIn post by ex-Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) has unmasked corruption deep inside various departments in Bengaluru, prompting action by officials. The man, Sivakumar K, shared that his 34-year-old child recently died. The former BPCL official highlighted how he had to pay bribes to a number of officials for different legal works like ambulance and death certificate.
“Recently my only child passed away at age 34. The amount open bribe being asked by ambulance, police for FIR and post martum report, crematorium for giving receipt and BBMP office for death certificate,” Sivakumar said in his post.
“I paid,” he said, adding that an inspector of Belandur police station was “arrogant” and behaved without any empathy “to a father who lost his child”.
“Very sad state. I had money I paid. What will poor do,” Sivakumar added in the post.
As the incident went viral, the Congress government in Karnataka has reportedly suspended two police officials, and a further probe is on.
Internet shares similar experiences
The post of Sivakumar was shared on X by a user who expressed shock as how the system works against a man who has lost his child.
“Imagine losing your only child and then paying bribe for her death certificate. Stuff like this makes you lose faith in humanity,” he said.
I have received information that Bengaluru City Police Commissioner Shri Seemanth Kumar Singh avaru has spoken to Shri Sivakumar K regarding this matter and has assured that appropriate action will be taken.@CPBlr https://t.co/CrFKj9YkDN
— Girish Bharadwaj (@Girishvhp) October 29, 2025
A user, meanwhile, commented that he had to go through similar pain when he lost his aunt two weeks back. “…and even during such tough times, family had to pay extra just to get things moving. Paid 3k for registration and another 1.5k to collect the ashes at Banashankari Crematorium. Sad truth — things rarely move in govt offices without greasing palms,” he said.
“I experienced similar harassment while trying to obtain my father’s death certificate in Pune in 2019. It was extremely painful,” said another while quoting his 2019 post about the bribes.
As the post went viral, a Hindu body leader said that action is being taken on the incident after the Bengaluru police commissioner talked to the ex-CFO.
“I have received information that Bengaluru City Police Commissioner Shri Seemanth Kumar Singh avaru has spoken to Shri Sivakumar K regarding this matter and has assured that appropriate action will be taken,” he said.
