Major Scam Unveiled at Bathinda RTA Office: Fake Vehicle Registrations and Sales
In a significant crackdown on corruption within Punjab’s transport sector, the Vigilance Bureau (VB) has uncovered a major scam at the Regional Transport Authority (RTA) office in Bathinda. A surprise inspection revealed that unfit vehicles were being registered using fake documents, leading to the arrest of several individuals involved in the fraudulent activities.
Details of the Scam
The investigation uncovered that the accused, in collusion with transport officials, obtained No Objection Certificates (NOCs) from Gujarat for five condemned Mahindra & Mahindra jeeps from 1993 and 1996 models. These vehicles never physically arrived in Bathinda. The fraudsters purchased these scrapped vehicles from different states, manipulated records using a rental agreement without the owner’s consent, and had them modified at a body shop in Dabwali, Haryana. They then registered these vehicles at the RTA Bathinda office using fake documents and sold them to unsuspecting buyers at inflated prices.
Arrests and Seizures
As part of the operation, the VB raided the Nagpal Body Maker in Dabwali, Haryana, and seized the five modified jeeps, estimated to be worth around Rs 25 lakh. The arrested individuals include Naveen Kumar and Inderjeet Singh, both residents of Bathinda, and Naresh Kumar, the owner of the body shop in Dabwali. Raids are ongoing to apprehend other co-accused involved in the scam.
VB’s Commitment to Combating Corruption
This operation is part of the Punjab Vigilance Bureau’s ongoing efforts to address corruption within the state’s transport sector. In December 2024, the VB arrested Gurmeet Singh, a Motor Vehicle Inspector from Patiala, and his associate Anil for accepting a bribe of Rs 14,000. Additionally, in October 2024, the Punjab Transport department blacklisted 5,706 BS-IV vehicles that were registered fraudulently, highlighting the department’s commitment to tackling such malpractices.
Public Awareness and Vigilance
The Vigilance Bureau continues to encourage the public to report any instances of corruption or fraudulent activities within government departments. Citizens are urged to remain vigilant and ensure that all vehicle transactions and registrations are conducted through official and legal channels to prevent falling victim to such scams.
The Vigilance Bureau’s actions underscore the Punjab government’s commitment to ensuring transparency and integrity within public services. Continued vigilance and public cooperation are essential to eradicate corruption