Mumbai: Cops seize 24 vehicles with suspicious number plates

Technical changes in e-challan system helped cops seize the vehicles

The Mumbai traffic police seized 24 vehicles with suspicious number plates in the month of February. It was confirmed that three of these vehicles were stolen, and the number plates of five vehicles were fake. The remaining vehicles are being verified.

The e-challan system makes it possible for the police to fine traffic offenders as well as uncover vehicle theft offenses. Due to the recent technical changes in the system, the traffic police were able to seize the 24 vehicles, all of which are suspected to be stolen.

After a vehicle is stolen, the person driving it often uses a fake number plate to avoid the police. If such a vehicle's driver breaks traffic rules, an e-challan is issued by the traffic police on the basis of this fake registration number. But if the stolen vehicle's registration number is not changed, the original owner receives the challan. In the case of three of the 24 vehicles, the original owners had informed the traffic police that they were stolen.

Traffic Police DCP Nandkumar Thakur said the e-challan system has been updated this year and suspicious registration numbers in the state have been added to it. Numerous vehicles were inspected and on that basis the 24 vehicles were seized. DCP Nandkumar Thakur told mid-day, "The updated system will now tighten the screws on theft of vehicles, vehicles used in crime and their use with fake number plates." A statewide list of suspicious registration numbers has been connected to the e-challan system. The traffic police get a signal (pop up / beep) that a particular registration number is suspicious, in their device. They then interrogate the driver and check the documents of the vehicle.

A traffic police officer said that recently the driver of a vehicle in Ghatkopar broke the traffic rules after which he was e-challaned. But then the number plate of the vehicle was found to be fake. During investigation it was found that the vehicle was being used by a person accused in a case, after which the matter was handed to the police.

Additional Commissioner of Police, Traffic, Praveen Padwal told mid-day, "In the month of February, 24 such vehicles were apprehended. During investigation, 3 vehicles were found to be stolen. These vehicles have been given to the concerned police for investigation. There were 5 vehicles using the number plates of other vehicles. The remaining vehicles are being verified."