In a joint operation, Crime Branch and Adhartal Police raided a scrap godown and arrested two accused involved in illegal scrapping of vehicles. The action has been taken action against an illegal vehicle scrapping racket operating without valid documents and without surrendering vehicle registration numbers to the RTO. Two arrested have been identified as Sheikh Arif (37), resident of near Shankar Tola, Belbag and Arbaaz (26), resident of Chhoti Omti, Aathanala, Belbag. Acting on a tip-off, Crime Branch received information that vehicles were being illegally dismantled and converted into scrap at a garage owned by Sheikh Arif in Khajri Khiriya. A joint team of Crime Branch and Adhartal Police raided the location, where a vehicle bearing registration number DL-1 LR 9698 was found loaded with scrap. During questioning, Sheikh Arif admitted that vehicles bearing registration numbers MP-20 CA 6862, MP-20 FA 6828 and MP-20 F 6243 had been dismantled and loaded into the said vehicle. Another vehicle, MP-20 CC 7962 (Indica Vista) was found partially dismantled at the spot, with its engine removed and kept separately.

 

When asked to produce documents, the accused presented only duplicate registration cards. They failed to provide valid permits for scrapping, Gumasta license, documents related to surrender of registration numbers at the RTO, or affidavits/agreements from vehicle owners. Considering the possibility that the vehicles could be linked to criminal activities, police seized the scrap loaded in vehicle DL-1 LR 9698 along with the partially dismantled Indica Vista, its engine, and parts. Action was taken under Section 106 of BNSS. During investigation, statements of the godown owner, vehicle owners and other witnesses were recorded. It was found that Arbaaz procured vehicles, which were then illegally scrapped by Sheikh Arif in collusion with others, without following government norms, to earn unlawful gains. The accused also failed to renew the vehicles, deposit due taxes, and complete cancellation procedures. Adhartal police have registered a case against both accused under Sections 318(1) and 61(2) of the BNS, along with Sections 11 and 16(3) of Madhya Pradesh Motor Vehicles Taxation Act while further investigation is underway