A Japanese tourist named Yamato encountered a troubling incident with Gurugram traffic police on August 25, 2025, when he was stopped for not wearing a helmet while riding pillion on a motorcycle. Although his female friend was wearing a helmet, the police demanded a cash fine of ₹1,000, refusing digital payment or to provide a receipt, claiming their card machine was not functional. Yamato handed over two ₹500 notes, which the officers were filmed counting, with one officer even smiling during the exchange.
Unbeknownst to the police, Yamato was wearing Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses that recorded the entire interaction in high definition, clearly capturing the officers’ faces during the bribe-taking. He shared the video on Instagram, where it quickly gained attention, and the footage was subsequently reposted on social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter). The viral spread of the video prompted public outrage and tags to Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini and senior Gurugram police officials.
Reacting swiftly to the social media backlash, the Gurugram Traffic Police announced a "Zero Tolerance Against Corruption" policy and suspended three officers involved: Zone Officer ESI Karan Singh, Constable Shubham, and Home Guard Bhupender. The police also encouraged the public to report similar incidents confidentially for prompt action.
Yamato expressed surprise at the quick response, noting that the suspensions occurred within nine hours of the video going viral, and humorously described the incident as the only scam he experienced in India during his travels. However, some netizens questioned the effectiveness of suspensions, suggesting stricter penalties like termination or legal action to serve as a stronger deterrent against bribery by officials.
This case highlights how smart technology combined with social media can bring accountability and justice in real time, exposing corrupt practices even in routine encounters with law enforcement.