Chandigarh, April 8, 2025 – The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) Bathinda Range conducted a surprise inspection. This action aligns with the Punjab Government’s zero-tolerance policy against corruption at the Regional Transport Authority (RTA) office Bathinda. They found that unfit vehicles were registered using fake documents without any physical verification. The agents had then sold them to the public at inflated prices.

VB Registers Case in Jeep NOC Scam, Arrests One, Raids Ongoing

On the basis of these malpractices, the VB has registered a case against accused Naveen Kumar, who is a resident of NFL Colony, Bathinda. They have also registered a case against Inderjeet Singh, who is a resident of Dhobiana Road, Bathinda. Meanwhile, the Bureau has nominated and arrested Naresh Kumar, owner of Nagpal Body Maker, Sirsa Road, Dabwali in Haryana in this case and has launched raids to arrest the other accused. A spokesperson for the state VB informed that during the inspection, it was discovered that the said accused had obtained No Objection Certificates (NOCs) from Gujarat state for five condemned jeeps/vehicles. These were Mahindra & Mahindra models from 1993 and 1996. The accused colluded with transport officials to get these NOCs. However, these vehicles never actually arrived in Bathinda.

RTA ; Fraud Ring Busted: Scrapped Vehicles Illegally Modified, Registered, and Sold for Rs 25 Lakh”

The accused individuals had purchased five scrapped vehicles from different states and fraudulently obtained their NOCs from Gujarat. They then used a rental agreement with a person named Rajesh Tuteja, without his consent, to manipulate records. The accused got these scrapped vehicles modified at Nagpal Body Maker, Sirsa Road, Dabwali in Haryana. They fraudulently registered them at the RTA Bathinda office. To do so, they used fake documents in connivance with concerned officials and private agents. Afterwards, these vehicles were sold to unsuspecting buyers at high prices, committing fraud. The Vigilance Bureau’s Bathinda Range conducted a raid at aforementioned Nagpal Body Maker in Dabwali. They seized the five modified jeeps. These vehicles are estimated to be worth around Rs 25 lakh.

FIR Registered in Corruption Case; Accused Arrested, More Under Investigation

The spokesperson further added that in this regard a case FIR No. 11, dated 07/04/2025 has been registered against above said Naveen Kumar and Inderjeet Singh. The registration is under sections 7-A and 13(1)(A) read with 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act. It also includes sections 318(4), 336(2), 338, 336(4), 340(2) and 61 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. In addition to this Naresh Kumar, owner of Nagpal Body Maker, Dabwali has also been nominated and arrested. Raids are ongoing to arrest the other accused. He further added that during further investigation, the involvement of RTA Bathinda officials or employees will also be probed. Other private individuals will be included if found guilty in the case.