Bengaluru: The notorious “Puncture Mafia,” known for targeting unsuspecting motorists and extorting money in the name of tyre repairs, has once again resurfaced in Bengaluru, triggering widespread outrage among citizens. In a shocking incident that has raised serious questions about law and order in the city, miscreants allegedly scattered hundreds of sharp nails on a busy road right in front of a police station to deliberately damage vehicle tyres and trap commuters.
The incident has once again exposed the dangerous and organised network operating behind the illegal puncture racket in the Silicon City. Videos and photographs of the road filled with nails have now gone viral on social media, leaving citizens furious over the audacity of the culprits and the apparent lack of preventive action.
According to locals and regular commuters, the modus operandi of the puncture mafia is both simple and ruthless. During late-night hours or early mornings, members of the racket allegedly spread hundreds of nails, screws, blades and other sharp metal objects on roads with heavy traffic movement. As vehicles pass through these stretches, tyres get punctured within minutes, leaving motorists stranded helplessly in the middle of the road.
Once the vehicle breaks down, nearby puncture repair shops allegedly linked to the same network immediately approach the stranded commuters offering “help.” In many cases, motorists are reportedly told that the tyre is severely damaged and must either be replaced entirely or undergo expensive repairs. Taking advantage of the emergency situation, customers are allegedly charged exorbitant amounts running into thousands of rupees.
Residents say the scam has been operating in different pockets of Bengaluru for several years, but the latest incident has shocked many because it reportedly occurred near a police station itself. Citizens are now questioning how such illegal activity could happen openly under the nose of law enforcement authorities.
“This is no longer a small roadside scam. This has become an organised mafia that is putting public safety at risk,” said a commuter who frequently travels through the affected stretch. “Imagine getting stranded at night because someone deliberately damaged your tyres for money. It is not just cheating, it is dangerous.”
Social media users have also expressed anger after a video of the incident was shared on X by the handle “Karnataka Portfolio.” The footage allegedly shows a large number of nails scattered across the road surface, posing a major threat to two-wheelers, cars and even heavy vehicles.
Tyre Terror in Bengaluru: Puncture Mafia Operating Openly Near Police Station
The puncture mafia is back in Bengaluru, and this time their activities were shockingly reported right opposite a police station. Locals noticed a large number of nails deliberately scattered across… pic.twitter.com/C2pY8UHEYr
— Karnataka Portfolio (@karnatakaportf) May 24, 2026
Several users tagged Bengaluru City Police and demanded immediate action against the gangs operating the racket. “If this can happen in front of a police station, what about other isolated roads in the city?” one user questioned online.
Citizens have also pointed out that sudden tyre punctures on busy roads can easily lead to serious accidents, especially for two-wheeler riders. A puncture at high speed may result in riders losing balance and crashing into other vehicles, potentially causing fatal injuries.Transport experts say the issue is not just about financial fraud but also public safety. “This is equivalent to creating a man-made road hazard intentionally. It can lead to deadly accidents. The authorities must treat it as a serious criminal offence,” a road safety activist said.
The resurfacing of the puncture mafia has once again highlighted Bengaluru’s growing urban policing challenges. With increasing traffic congestion and inadequate night surveillance in several areas, organised roadside fraud networks continue to exploit commuters. Many residents have now urged Bengaluru police to intensify patrolling, install more CCTV surveillance cameras on vulnerable stretches, and conduct strict verification drives against roadside puncture repair shops suspected of involvement in the racket.
Citizens are also demanding stricter punishments for those involved, arguing that ordinary people are being harassed and financially exploited on a daily basis.So far, police have not officially confirmed whether any arrests have been made in connection with the latest incident. However, the viral video has sparked a fresh debate over urban crime, road safety and the need for stronger enforcement against organised roadside scams in Bengaluru.
