Pimpri-Chinchwad, 10th September 2026: A Toyota Fortuner allegedly fitted with a device that could automatically hide its rear registration number has become the subject of a criminal investigation in Pimpri-Chinchwad after a video of the mechanism surfaced on social media.
Wakad police registered a case on September 9 against Vijay Bhagwan Dagade, a resident of Tathawade and the registered owner and driver of the Toyota Fortuner bearing registration number MH 14 LN 4888.
According to the FIR, the vehicle had been modified with a mechanical system designed to cover its rear number plate. Police have alleged that the arrangement could make it difficult for enforcement agencies to identify the vehicle during traffic violations, accidents or other incidents.
The case has been registered under Sections 336(3), 318(4) and 319(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, as well as Section 198 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.
The FIR alleges that the concealed number plate could help the vehicle avoid detection through speed cameras, e-challan systems and other enforcement mechanisms. These are allegations contained in the police complaint and have not been established in court. The registration of the case does not, by itself, establish that the vehicle was involved in any other criminal offence.
RTO Inspection Preceded Police Case
The police action came after the Pimpri-Chinchwad Regional Transport Office (RTO) examined the same vehicle following the circulation of a video showing its number plate being concealed.
During its inspection, RTO officials reportedly found modifications to the vehicle along with wiring associated with the number-plate covering system. The department also took тВ╣4,500 from the driver as part of the action taken against the vehicle.
The RTO had sought a police inquiry into whether the vehicle had previously been connected with any criminal activity. The subsequent FIR has now brought the matter under criminal investigation in addition to the action relating to the vehicle modification.
Video Draws Attention To Fortuner
The vehicle came under scrutiny on September 8 after a video circulated widely on social media showing a flap or cover moving over its rear registration plate.
The footage appeared to show the plate being concealed automatically, making the registration number difficult to read.
The Fortuner also attracted attention following reports based on publicly available traffic challan information, which indicated that 55 challans had been issued against the vehicle. The outstanding amount was reported by various sources to be around тВ╣1 lakh.
Several of the reported violations were related to overspeeding, while other violations allegedly involved failure to wear a seat belt and improper display of the registration mark. However, the Wakad police FIR does not specify the total outstanding challan amount.
Police Examine Alleged Concealment Mechanism
The police investigation will focus on the purpose and use of the number-plate concealment system and the circumstances in which it was installed.
According to the FIR, police suspect that the modification could have been used to conceal the vehicleтАЩs identity from enforcement systems. The sections invoked by police include provisions of the BNS dealing with offences such as forgery, cheating and personation, along with the relevant provision of the Motor Vehicles Act.
The FIR was registered on the complaint of Police Head Constable Rohidas Ghodu Borhade of the Wakad Traffic Division.
Investigators will now examine whether the mechanism was deliberately installed to evade traffic enforcement and whether there is any evidence linking its use to violations or other offences. The allegations remain subject to investigation and the legal process.
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