Major Vehicle Registration Scam Uncovered at Ambala SDM Office, 213 Fraudulent Cases Identified
A significant vehicle registration scam has been unearthed at the Ambala Cantonment sub-divisional magistrate's (SDM) office, revealing extensive irregularities and prompting serious concerns about potential administrative complicity. According to preliminary findings from an inquiry report, vehicles from other states, particularly southern regions, were registered at the SDM office using fabricated addresses, allegedly to take advantage of lower registration fees in Haryana.
Scale of the Fraud and Financial Impact
Investigators have identified 213 vehicles that were fraudulently registered through this scheme. Estimates indicate that illicit collections may have ranged from Rs 1 to 2 lakh per vehicle, pointing to a large-scale financial irregularity. The scam is believed to have caused substantial revenue loss to the state, with the inquiry committee describing it as a "clear-cut case of intentional revenue loss" involving "malafide intent" by both vehicle owners and SDM office staff.
Details of the Irregularities and Suspicious Activities
The fraudulent registrations involved vehicles such as hydraulic mobile cranes and self-propelled combine harvesters, owned by individuals or firms based in distant locations like Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu and Bengaluru in Karnataka. Key procedural lapses include:
- Missing mandatory Forms 20, 21, and 22, with only unverified photocopies on record.
- Absence of valid insurance papers and motor vehicle inspector (MVI) certificates, critical for road safety.
- Registrations completed without proper identification or proof of residence in Ambala.
In seven specific cases of tractor registrations, owners had no connection to Haryana, used fake temporary addresses, and provided no proof of land ownership (jamabandi) in the state.
Administrative Complicity and Organized Network Suspected
The findings raise serious questions about internal involvement, as such activities are unlikely without alleged collusion of staff within the SDM office. Investigators suspect the role of an organized network facilitating these fraudulent registrations. Authorities are also probing whether stolen vehicles may have been routed through these schemes to evade taxes, penalties, or mask other violations.
Specific Cases Highlighted in the Report
The inquiry report flagged several ghost firms involved in the scam:
- Case HR85-K-6134: A hydraulic mobile crane registered to "K.P. Construction" at Dukheri village was found to be non-existent upon patwari investigation, with the owner traced to Tamil Nadu.
- Case HR85-K-5781: A vehicle registered to "SR Crane Services" at Ghel Kalan was also identified as a ghost firm, with the owner based in Coimbatore.
Legal Norms and Ongoing Investigations
Under existing regulations, vehicles can only be registered where the owner ordinarily resides. However, in these instances, vehicles from states like Tamil Nadu and Nagaland were registered in Ambala using fake local addresses. The inquiry, ordered on March 30 and recently concluded, has been submitted to the Ambala deputy commissioner, highlighting multiple procedural lapses and suspicious transactions. Sources indicate that a police case is likely to be registered soon, with a detailed criminal probe warranted due to "high possibilities" of forged or fabricated documents. Ambala DC Ajay Tomar did not respond to calls or messages regarding the matter.
