Mumbai: In a significant breakthrough, the crime branch of Navi Mumbai Police has apprehended three officials from the Regional Transport Office (RTO) in Amravati for their alleged involvement in registering stolen trucks with forged documents. This operation, which culminated after a meticulous two-month-long investigation, resulted in the arrest of a total of nine individuals, shedding light on a sophisticated racket thriving across multiple regions.
The mastermind behind this illicit operation was found to be orchestrating the registration of seized trucks under the guise of legitimate use, subsequently selling them across Amravati, Nagpur, and other areas. The modus operandi primarily involved the fabrication of documents and the manipulation of vehicle details to create a veneer of authenticity.
The accused RTO officials, identified as Assistant Transport Officer Bhagyashree Patil (43), Motor Inspector Ganesh Varuthe (35), and Assistant Motor Inspector Siddharth Thoke (35), allegedly facilitated the registration process without proper verification, essentially enabling the registration of stolen vehicles without due diligence.
Senior Inspector Shashikant Chandekar of the Motor Vehicle Division led the team that uncovered this intricate network. The investigation led to the recovery of two stolen trucks from APMC, revealing discrepancies in their chassis numbers and documentation. Subsequently, the apprehension of the mastermind, Javed Sheikh (49), and his five accomplices, alongside the three implicated RTO officers, ensued.
Javed Sheikh's sophisticated operation spanned multiple states, with the utilization of fraudulent documents and altered chassis numbers to re-register stolen trucks. The nefarious activities extended to Amravati, Nagpur, and beyond, implicating various accomplices in the process.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Amit Kale emphasized Javed's pivotal role as the linchpin of the syndicate, highlighting his extensive criminal record across Maharashtra and Haryana. The operation has unearthed a nexus of criminal activities intertwined with the transportation sector, underscoring the need for heightened vigilance and stringent enforcement measures.
As the investigation unfolds, authorities are actively pursuing leads in Nagpur RTO and beyond, aiming to dismantle the entire network and bring all involved parties to justice. The arrests mark a significant victory in the ongoing battle against organized crime and underscore the pivotal role of law enforcement agencies in safeguarding public trust and ensuring the integrity of regulatory processes.
