Three Arrested in Hyderabad for Using Same Number Plate on Three Scooters
Three men have been arrested by the Hyderabad Commissioner's Task Force for allegedly using the same vehicle registration number on three different two-wheelers in an attempt to mislead law enforcement agencies and evade financial and traffic enforcement.
The operation was carried out by the Task Force's Charminar Zone team, which seized all three Honda Activa scooters displaying the identical registration number. Police said the practice was intended to conceal the identity of vehicles and avoid detection by authorities.
The accused have been identified as Nakoti Mallikarjun, a lighting businessman, Bheem Ajay Reddy, a businessman, and Koppula Dhanraj, a collection agent. All three are residents of Parsigutta in Secunderabad.
Duplicate registration plate uncovered during vehicle verification
According to the police, the case came to light on July 3 when the Task Force intercepted Ajay Reddy while he was riding a Honda Activa bearing the registration number TS09 FE 4997.
During routine verification through official vehicle records, officers found discrepancies between the scooter's registration details and its engine and chassis numbers. Further questioning and investigation revealed that the vehicle was unregistered and was under finance.
Police said the scooter originally belonged to a person identified as Sai Ram, who had reportedly handed it over to Mallikarjun against an outstanding debt.
Vehicle allegedly disguised to avoid bank repossession
Task Force Additional DCP Ande Srinivasa Rao said the investigation found that the financed scooter still had an outstanding loan balance of Rs 36,000 with IndusInd Bank.
To prevent the vehicle from being repossessed by the financier, Mallikarjun allegedly removed its identity by affixing a duplicate registration plate copied from his own legally registered Honda Activa. The vehicle was then handed over to Ajay for use, police said.
Investigators further alleged that Mallikarjun also allowed Dhanraj to use the same duplicate registration number on another Honda Activa.
As a result, three separate scooters were allegedly operated using the identical registration number, enabling the accused to mislead government authorities, evade traffic challans and conceal the identity of financed vehicles.
Three vehicles seized, case registered
Following the investigation, the Task Force seized all three two-wheelers carrying the same registration number.
Police have registered a criminal case at Warasiguda Police Station under the relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The investigation is continuing.
Authorities noted that vehicle registration numbers are unique identifiers linked to specific engine and chassis details. Using duplicate or fraudulent number plates can obstruct enforcement, complicate investigations and facilitate violations of traffic and financial regulations.