SUV with disappearing number plate is law-breaker in motion, has Rs 1 lakh challan

A video showed an SUV in Maharashtra using a sliding cover to conceal its rear number plate while on the road. The clip and records showing challans amounting to Rs 1 lakh intensified questions over enforcement and repeat violations.SUV with disappearing number plate is law-breaker in motion, has Rs 1 lakh challan (Photo: @nachiket1982/X)An SUV being driven on roads in Maharashtra appeared to have one very convenient feature: its number plate could disappear whenever the driver wanted.But that was not the only thing unusual about the Toyota Fortuner. Its challan history showed 55 traffic violations, with fines adding up to around Rs 1 lakh.A video of the mysterious SUV was shared on social media, showing the vehicle moving along a road before a black cover suddenly began sliding down and completely concealed the registration plate.The unusual modification caught people's attention online, with viewers questioning how a vehicle could be driven openly with a mechanism that allowed its number plate to be hidden at the push of a button. But the number plate was not the only thing that raised eyebrows. In another post, X user Nachiket Deshpande shared the vehicle's challan history, which showed 55 challans against it.As shown in the RTO (Regional Transport Office) information platform CarInfo record shared in the post, 50 of the challans were for overspeeding. Almost all of these carried a fine of Rs 2,000 each, adding up to around Rs 1 lakh. The record also showed one driver seat-belt violation carrying a Rs 1,000 fine, one passenger seat-belt violation for Rs 1,000 and one offence for an improperly displayed or painted registration mark, also carrying a Rs 1,000 fine.Nachiket criticised the lack of enforcement, arguing that a vehicle with such a history should have faced stronger action. He also raised concerns about the possibility of a concealed number plate making the vehicle harder to identify in the event of an offence.Take a look at the post here:The post triggered strong reactions, with one user arguing that authorities should also investigate the vendor who installed the mechanism on the SUV, saying a fine alone would not be enough.Another user said people who repeatedly flouted rules appeared unaffected by criticism, while someone called for the owner's driving licence to be revoked and the vehicle to be impounded, citing its challan history.The video and challan record have now put an unusual question in the spotlight: how does a vehicle rack up 55 challans and still remain on the road with a mechanism designed to hide its number plate?- EndsPublished By: Yashna TalwarPublished On: Sep 8, 2026 17:43 IST