Nagpur: In a major breakthrough by the Nagpur Traffic Department, a case of deliberate fraud involving a luxury car with a fake number plate has come to light. The incident occurred on April 17, 2025, when a Mercedes-Benz car bearing the number MH 02-DZ-5061 was found suspiciously parked in front of Poonam Mall near Alankar Square under the jurisdiction of the Sonegaon Traffic Division.
Traffic police personnel Surendra Pagare (Badge No. 5966) was on duty with a four-wheeler towing van when he noticed the vehicle. Before initiating action, he checked the registration details of the car using the e-challan machine. Upon contacting the registered owner via the mobile number listed, it was revealed that the original owner, Hanit Manjeetsingh Arora, a resident of Mira Road, Mumbai, claimed his Mercedes with the same number was parked at his residence. He further disclosed that two previous overspeeding challans linked to this number were issued in Nagpur — a city he had not visited with the vehicle — raising suspicions of number plate duplication.
Arora had already lodged a complaint with the Kashimira Traffic Department in Thane City, suspecting that an unidentified person had cloned his number plate.
Soon after, a man named Harish Tiwari arrived at the spot with his wife and claimed ownership of the vehicle. When asked to produce the vehicle’s documents, he called his son, Yash Tiwari, for assistance. However, both failed to provide satisfactory responses, raising further doubts.
The vehicle and its occupants were taken to the Sitabuldi Traffic Division. Upon further inspection, Harish Tiwari submitted documents showing that the actual registration number of the car was MH 31-EX-9993. A cross-check of the engine and chassis numbers confirmed this.
During detailed questioning, Harish Tiwari confessed that the fake number plate was installed on his son Yash Tiwari’s instructions. The motive was reportedly to mislead traffic authorities, avoid challans, and ensure that any fines or legal consequences would be directed toward the original owner in Mumbai. This deliberate act was intended to deceive law enforcement and breach traffic rules.
Based on a complaint filed at Bajaj Nagar Police Station, an offence was registered against Harish Devicharan Tiwari and Yash Harish Tiwari under Sections 318(2), 336(3), 340(2), 345(3), and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023, along with Section 192 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.
Police authorities commended the alertness and intelligence of the Sonegaon Traffic Division staff, who swiftly acted and exposed the fraud.
Speaking to Nagpur News, Archit Chandak, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic), Nagpur City, issued a stern warning to miscreants involved in such activities.
“Modifying or replacing original vehicle number plates with fake ones is a serious criminal offence, punishable under the BNS and the Motor Vehicles Act. Citizens are urged to remain vigilant and report any such suspicious activities to the authorities to maintain law and order on city roads,” said DCP Chandak.
