Hyderabad: The Hyderabad Traffic Police have busted a serious vehicle registration fraud in which the same number plate was being used on two different two-wheelers to evade e-challans and traffic fines. A case has been registered against a resident of the Borabanda area, and further investigation is underway.
ANPR Shock Triggered the Entire Probe
According to police officials, the accused had affixed a fake number plate to one Honda Activa scooter, while the same registration number originally belonged to another Activa registered in his daughter’s name. By using a single vehicle identity across two scooters, the accused allegedly attempted to mislead the traffic enforcement system and avoid penalties.
The case came to light during routine digital surveillance, when traffic records showed an anomaly: the same registration number appearing at different locations nearly simultaneously. This inconsistency raised suspicion among officials and triggered a detailed investigation.
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CCTV Trail Exposed the Two-Scooter Trick
During the probe, CCTV footage and the Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) system played a crucial role. The ANPR cameras tracked the same registration number across multiple locations, confirming that two separate vehicles were operating under a cloned identity. This led to the full exposure of the fraud.
Officials said the accused deliberately used a duplicate number plate on the second scooter to escape camera-based e-challans and automated traffic penalties. While the method may appear simple, authorities stressed that it is a serious offence under traffic and motor vehicle laws.
Investigations further revealed that the original registration number belongs to an Activa registered in the name of the accused’s daughter in the Vengal Rao Nagar area under SR Nagar limits. However, the same number was illegally replicated and used on another scooter, effectively creating a “cloned vehicle identity.”
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Traffic police officials stated that such practices are mainly aimed at bypassing digital enforcement systems. However, with advanced surveillance technology now widely deployed, such attempts are increasingly being detected within a short time.
A criminal case has been registered at Borabanda Police Station under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Motor Vehicles Act. The accused has been served notice, and legal proceedings are ongoing.
Authorities highlighted that the breakthrough was made possible due to the integration of ANPR systems, which scan number plates and match them against a centralized vehicle database. The system flagged inconsistencies by tracking the same number at multiple locations, exposing the entire racket.
Police have clearly stated that tampering with number plates or using duplicate registrations is a punishable offence. Such actions not only disrupt traffic enforcement but also create serious complications in identifying vehicles involved in accidents or crimes.
Officials warned that offenders may face heavy fines, vehicle seizure, and even criminal charges under applicable laws. Citizens have been urged to strictly follow vehicle registration rules and avoid any form of fraudulent practices.
Tech-Driven Policing Tightens the Net
The Hyderabad Traffic Police also reiterated that the city’s digital surveillance network is continuously being strengthened, making it increasingly difficult to evade detection through such methods.
Meanwhile, investigators are also checking whether similar fraudulent registration practices have been used for other vehicles linked to the accused.
The case once again highlights how technology-driven policing is tightening traffic enforcement and making it significantly harder for violators to escape the law.
