Mumbai traffic police seizes 24 stolen vehicles with suspicious number plates

According to reports, in the month of February, the Mumbai traffic police has seized 24 vehicles with suspicious number plates. Of these, three vehicles were found to be stolen and the number plates of five vehicles were fake.

The remaining 16 vehicles are being verified.

The police officials stated that this seizure was possible due to the recent technical changes in the system. The e-challan system helps the cops to fine traffic offenders as well as uncover vehicle theft offences.

In most of the theft vehicle cases, it is found that after stealing, the person driving it often uses a fake number plate to avoid the police. If the stolen vehicle’s driver breaks traffic rules, an e-challan is issued by the traffic police on the basis of this fake registration number. However, if the stolen vehicle’s registration number is not changed, the original owner receives the challan. Similarly, in the case of three of the 24 vehicles, the original owners had informed the traffic police that they were stolen, informed the official.

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, and 24 vehicles were seized, said an official.

Moreover, the updated system will now tighten the screws on the theft of vehicles, their use of a fake number plate and vehicles used in a crime.

The e-challan system helps to send the list of suspicious registration numbers across the state. 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 sent an e-challan. 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 over to the police.