Panipat. During a routine traffic sweep on Hathwala Road, police identified two white Maruti cars that were masquerading as official government vehicles. Further probing revealed that a father‑son pair had installed counterfeit number plates and government‑style markings on the automobiles.

Tip triggers a focused inspection

Traffic Zone In‑charge Satish Kumar reported that officers were conducting a check near the Hathwala Road bridge on October 4 when a tip was received about a vehicle cruising the city with a government‑type registration. The team moved to a lane behind the SFC Hotel and spotted a white Maruti Ertiga bearing the words Government of India in red on its rear bumper.

A second white Maruti Ciaz was parked nearby, its trunk displaying similar wording – “Government of India” and “PBSM Ministry”. Both cars carried plates that mimicked official identification.

Numbers don’t match official records

When the registration numbers were entered into the challan system, no corresponding entries appeared. At that moment, a man named Rajbir claimed ownership of both vehicles but could not produce the registration certificates on the spot.

Police then cross‑checked the chassis numbers. The verification showed that the Ertiga was registered to Rahul, a resident of Krishna Colony, while the Ciaz was registered in Rajbir’s name.

Evidence of tampering

Both automobiles were fitted with sirens, and the altered plates along with the government‑style decals clearly aimed to project an official status. Investigators noted that Rahul had removed the Ertiga’s authentic plate and replaced it with a fabricated one, and Rajbir had done the same with his Ciaz.

A case has been filed against the father‑son duo, and the two Maruti cars have been seized. The probe continues to uncover how the bogus plates and markings were obtained and whether any further misuse took place.