Mumbai, July 7 (IANS) Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday announced in the Legislative Assembly that a high-level inquiry will be conducted into alleged malpractices, tax evasion, and irregularities within the state’s Regional Transport Office (RTO).

Responding to a question raised by MLA Vijay Wadettiwar, Fadnavis stated that the matter has been discussed with the Transport Minister, and the issues raised by the house members have been taken seriously.

Responding to the discussion, Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik provided detailed insights into the matter. He noted that tax evasion has been observed in several cases regarding the registration of expensive luxury vehicles.

Some vehicle owners, despite residing in Maharashtra and securing loans from state-based banks, are registering their vehicles in regions like Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu, and Puducherry.

The RTO has already initiated action against such practices. To curb future tax evasion, a stringent verification process involving GST checks, bank loan documents, and residential proofs will be implemented.

Furthermore, Sarnaik announced that a three-member Special Investigation Team (SIT), headed by senior IPS officer Priyanka Naranaware, has been formed to independently investigate the complaints, video footage, and other allegations levelled against the RTO department.

The committee, which also includes Additional Transport Commissioner Ravi Gaikwad and Vigilance Officer Mandar Javale, has been directed to submit its report within one month.

Meanwhile, Tribal Development Minister Ashok Uike informed the Legislative Assembly that a Class-1 Deputy Director (Research) serving in the Tribal Development Department at the MTNL building in Charai, Thane, has been placed under immediate suspension following a bribery case. The process of filing a chargesheet for a departmental inquiry with the Secretary’s approval is currently underway.

Uike was replying to a query raised by MLA Raju Todsam during the Assembly’s Question Hour. MLA Dharmarao Atram also participated in the discussion.

Elaborating on the incident, Uike stated that the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) received a complaint on February 13, 2026, alleging that the concerned officer had demanded a bribe to clear files related to Scheduled Tribe (ST) students.

Following verification of the complaint, an ACB team laid a trap at the Charai office and caught the Deputy Director red-handed while accepting a bribe of Rs 2,500,000 in the presence of witnesses. Following the arrest, the official was immediately suspended.

Following the submission of the departmental chargesheet, final administrative actions will be determined based on the court’s ultimate verdict.

Additionally, a thorough investigation will be launched into all caste verification and validity certificates previously issued by the accused officer. Strict legal actions will be initiated if any irregularities are uncovered, Uike added.

–IANS

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