An investigation into vehicle smuggling in Arunachal Pradesh uncovered 76 recovered cars worth Rs 30.5 crore, with arrests including a district transport officer. The case remains under probe as of October 7, 2025.
Agartala/Ukhrul, Oct 7: Arunachal Pradesh police have seized 76 luxury vehicles allegedly stolen from Delhi-NCR, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and other states, as part of an interstate racket involving forged documents and tampered identification numbers, according to Arunachal Observer on September 11, 2025. The operation, described as the largest single vehicle recovery in India, targeted high-end models sold at discounted prices to buyers in the Itanagar Capital Region.
The probe started on July 2, 2025, with a suo motu FIR (No. 102/25) registered by Itanagar Capital Police under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, as reported by Northeast Live TV on September 7, 2025. A Special Investigation Team (SIT), headed by SDPO Kengo Dirchi and supervised by Capital SP Jummar Basar, employed digital tracking and raids to dismantle the network.
On July 28, 2025, authorities recovered 57 vehicles valued at Rs 30.5 crore from various sites in the Itanagar Capital Region, leading to the arrest of five habitual offenders, according to the same Northeast Live TV report. It is learned that the syndicate sourced vehicles from northern states and altered engine and chassis numbers before smuggling them.
Meanwhile, on August 8, 2025, Charu Akey, a data entry operator at the District Transport Office in Palin, was arrested for allegedly aiding in document forgery, as per Arunachal Observer on September 8, 2025.
By August 15, 2025, 16 more vehicles were seized, totaling 73, with notices issued to over 80 persons under Section 36(3) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, for probe cooperation, the report added. However, five additional vehicles remained under verification at that point.
On September 6, 2025, Papum Pare District Transport Officer Yajum Lombi Yumlam was taken into custody from her Itanagar home for reportedly approving fake registrations, according to The Tribune on September 7, 2025. Moreover, 10 others were arrested the next day, raising the phase total to 11 and overall arrests to at least 17, including members from Delhi-NCR, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar networks.
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The recoveries hit 76 by September 11, 2025, comprising 27 Hyundai Creta, 9 Toyota Fortuner, 5 Kia Seltos, and models like Tata Safari, Mahindra Thar, and an Audi, all blacklisted in theft cases, as detailed by Times of India on September 12, 2025.
Two verified vehicles from Delhi-NCR were returned to owners at the SP office on September 11, 2025, per court order, and at least 10 more by September 23, 2025, according to the same Times of India article. Wireless alerts were sent to police stations across India for further checks.
SP Jummar Basar stated on July 28, 2025: “All the recovered vehicles were blacklisted and linked to theft cases registered in Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and other states.” On September 7, 2025, Basar noted, “The gang operated a well-organized network across state borders, selling stolen vehicles using forged documents and deceiving unsuspecting buyers.”
SDPO Kengo Dirchi commented on August 15, 2025, “We are committed to ensuring these vehicles are returned to their rightful owners.”
He added, “This case has shown how vehicle theft rings operate across state lines with alarming precision. It also highlights the importance of coordinated policing.”
On September 11, 2025, Dirchi said: “Message about recovery of both black listed cars in the National capital territory region (NCR) of New Delhi was sent to all police stations across India… 11, including the Papum Pare district transport officer and a data entry operator, have been arrested so far.”
Dirchi further remarked, “I being the IO am investigating the case thoroughly. All are luxury cars and owners have a lot of hope for recovery. I expect all owners to claim vehicles with legal documents including court order.”
Dirchi advised the public on September 11, 2025, “Verify ownership history through VAHAN or respective RTO records, avoid buying vehicles without complete and genuine documentation and report any suspicious vehicle seller to your nearest police station, immediately.”
As of October 7, 2025, the investigation continues without new arrests or recoveries reported, focusing on prosecutions and owner restitutions, based on available media updates.