Hyderabad Police Register Six Cases in Crackdown on Fake Number Plates

Hyderabad traffic police have filed six criminal cases in a week against drivers using fake, tampered or unauthorised number plates, officials said on Tuesday. The move followed a sharp rise in complaints about bogus plates. The enforcement drive seized several vehicles and lodged the cases at Banjara Hills and Amberpet police stations, as well as at Hanamkonda police station in Warangal commissionerate, Kondapur police station in Sangareddy district and Choutuppal police station in Yadadri‑Bhuvanagiri district. Police stress that only government‑approved High‑Security Registration Plates (HSRP) are legal; custom alterations, missing digits and temporary stickers on plates are prohibited. They added that manipulated plates are often used to hide a vehicle’s identity and dodge traffic enforcement. The department warned that anyone found with fake or altered plates faces criminal prosecution and immediate seizure of the vehicle. Seized vehicles will be held pending court hearings. Owners were urged to follow the prescribed plate norms and traffic rules. Authorities said similar drives will continue across the city to boost road safety and curb crime. The police will also carry out random checks at toll plazas and entry points. ## Context HSRP plates were introduced nationwide to stop cloning and theft of vehicles. Fake plates have become a common way to evade fines and police checks, prompting regular crackdowns.