Gujarat transport dept probes alleged fake driving licence racket linked to other states

The Gujarat Transport Department has ordered an investigation into a suspected driving licence racket after a rise in applications seeking transfer of licences issued in other states to Gujarat.

Officials suspect that driving licences may have been issued to Gujarat residents from transport offices in states such as Rajasthan and some northeastern states without the applicants undergoing the mandatory driving test.

According to transport department sources, the probe was initiated after Regional Transport Offices (RTOs) across Gujarat, including Ahmedabad, witnessed a significant increase in applications for change of address from licences originally issued in other states.

The matter came to the notice of the Transport Commissioner, who subsequently directed officials to scrutinise such applications and verify their authenticity.

Preliminary investigations reportedly indicated possible irregularities in the issuance of licences, with some agents allegedly working in collusion with officials in other states.

Officials said that under existing rules, applicants in Gujarat are required to undergo a driving test before obtaining a licence. However, some individuals allegedly bypassed the process by securing licences from RTOs outside the state and later applying for address changes in Gujarat.

Sources claimed that transport offices in Rajasthan and certain northeastern states, including Sikkim, Manipur and Assam, are under scrutiny in connection with the alleged racket.

According to officials, forged or incorrect residential addresses were allegedly used while obtaining learner's licences and permanent driving licences from outside Gujarat.

In a typical modus operandi, personal documents such as Aadhaar cards and school leaving certificates of Gujarat residents were allegedly submitted to transport authorities in another state. While details such as name and date of birth remained unchanged, a local address from that state was reportedly used to obtain a licence.

The licence holder would then apply for a change of address at a Gujarat RTO, effectively transferring the licence into the state system.

Sources alleged that thousands of such licences may have been issued over the years, though the exact number is yet to be verified through the ongoing investigation.

The Transport Commissioner has directed officials to thoroughly examine all applications involving the transfer of licences from other states and initiate action wherever irregularities are detected.