Gujarat Police register 18,014 cases in drive against improper number plates
Synopsis
In just 20 days, Gujarat Police registered over 18,000 cases and collected nearly ₹59 lakh in fines targeting vehicles with fancy, tampered, or missing number plates — and the drive runs until 14 October. With Vadodara, Surat, and Banaskantha topping the charts, the scale of non-compliance across the state is striking.
Key Takeaways
Gujarat Police registered 18,014 cases between 1 and 20 September 2026 in a drive against improper number plates.
4,187 vehicles were detained for number plate tampering or non-compliance.
Fines of approximately ₹58.56 lakh were collected during the period.
Vadodara City led with 1,959 cases, followed by Surat City ( 1,786 ) and Banaskantha ( 1,363 ).
The drive was launched under DGP Gyanendra Singh Malik and will continue until 14 October 2026 .
Gujarat Police have registered 18,014 cases and detained 4,187 vehicles between 1 September and 20 September 2026 during a statewide enforcement drive targeting vehicles with missing, tampered, fancy, or otherwise non-compliant number plates. The campaign, launched under the supervision of Director General of Police (DGP) Gyanendra Singh Malik, will continue until 14 October 2026.
Scale of the Drive
Fines totalling approximately ₹58.56 lakh were collected during the 20-day period, alongside the detention of vehicles found with altered or concealed number plates. Police teams conducted simultaneous checks across districts and cities throughout the state, making this one of the more extensive traffic-compliance operations Gujarat has seen in recent years.
City-Wise Breakdown
Among the major cities, Vadodara City recorded the highest number of cases at 1,959, followed by Surat City with 1,786 cases and Banaskantha district with 1,363 cases, according to police data. The distribution indicates that violations are not confined to a single region but are spread across urban and semi-urban areas alike.
What Officials Said
State Traffic Branch SP V. Sahitya appealed to vehicle owners and drivers to ensure their vehicles display clear, visible number plates as per prescribed rules. 'Number plates with fancy fonts, hidden numbers or stylish designs can lead to legal penalties,' Sahitya said. The warning comes as authorities note a persistent trend of decorative or obscured plates that hinder identification by surveillance cameras and traffic personnel.
Why This Matters
Improper number plates are not merely a cosmetic violation — they directly impede law enforcement's ability to trace vehicles involved in accidents, thefts, or crimes. This drive is part of a broader effort to improve road safety compliance across Gujarat. Checks are set to continue with a focus on vehicles carrying missing, concealed, altered, or non-standard plates under applicable traffic regulations. Vehicle owners have been advised to verify that their plates remain clearly visible and conform to the prescribed format before the drive concludes on 14 October 2026.
Point of View
000 in 20 days — suggests that non-compliant number plates have become normalised across Gujarat, not an isolated habit. The ₹58.56 lakh in fines collected is relatively modest against the enforcement effort deployed, raising a question about whether penalty levels are a strong enough deterrent. Fancy and obscured plates are a documented obstacle to CCTV-based crime and accident investigation, so this is as much a law-enforcement capacity issue as a road safety one. Whether the drive produces lasting behavioural change or merely a short-term spike in compliance before habits revert will depend on whether enforcement continues beyond the 14 October deadline.
NationPress
22 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How many cases did Gujarat Police register in the number plate drive?
Gujarat Police registered 18,014 cases between 1 and 20 September 2026 during a statewide drive against vehicles with missing, tampered, or non-compliant number plates. Additionally, 4,187 vehicles were detained and fines of approximately ₹58.56 lakh were collected.
How long will the Gujarat number plate enforcement drive last?
The drive was launched on 1 September 2026 and is scheduled to continue until 14 October 2026 . Checks are ongoing across districts and cities throughout the state.
Which cities recorded the most number plate violation cases?
Vadodara City recorded the highest number of cases at 1,959 , followed by Surat City with 1,786 cases and Banaskantha district with 1,363 cases, according to police data.
What types of number plate violations are being targeted?
The drive targets vehicles with missing, concealed, altered, or non-standard number plates, including those with fancy fonts, hidden numbers, or stylistic designs that do not comply with prescribed regulations. Such plates can impede vehicle identification by law enforcement and traffic cameras.
Who is overseeing the Gujarat number plate enforcement drive?
The drive is being conducted under the supervision of Director General of Police (DGP) Gyanendra Singh Malik . State Traffic Branch SP V. Sahitya has been the public face of the campaign, urging vehicle owners to ensure their plates are clearly visible and compliant.
