Maharashtra RTO malpractices: CM Fadnavis orders high-level inquiry
Synopsis
Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis has ordered a high-level probe into RTO malpractices, including luxury vehicle tax evasion via union territory registrations. A three-member SIT led by IPS officer Priyanka Naranaware must report within a month — the same Assembly session that saw a tribal development officer caught red-handed accepting a ₹25 lakh bribe.
Key Takeaways
CM Devendra Fadnavis announced a high-level inquiry into Maharashtra RTO malpractices, tax evasion, and irregularities on 7 July in the Legislative Assembly.
A three-member SIT headed by IPS officer Priyanka Naranaware has been formed; report due within one month .
Luxury vehicle owners based in Maharashtra were found registering vehicles in Dadra and Nagar Haveli , Daman and Diu , and Puducherry to evade state taxes.
Future verification will involve GST checks , bank loan documents , and residential proofs to curb evasion.
A Class-1 Deputy Director in the Tribal Development Department, Thane , was caught accepting a ₹25 lakh bribe and has been suspended; chargesheet process underway.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday, 7 July announced in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly that a high-level inquiry will be conducted into alleged malpractices, tax evasion, and irregularities at the state's Regional Transport Office (RTO). The announcement came in response to a question raised by MLA Vijay Wadettiwar, with Fadnavis confirming the matter had been taken up with the Transport Minister.
What the Transport Minister Said
Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik provided detailed insights during the discussion, highlighting a pattern of tax evasion linked to the registration of high-value luxury vehicles. Despite residing in Maharashtra and securing loans from state-based banks, several vehicle owners have been registering their vehicles in union territories such as Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu, and Puducherry — regions with lower tax burdens.
Sarnaik stated that the RTO has already initiated action against such practices. Going forward, a stringent verification process involving GST records, bank loan documents, and residential proofs will be implemented to prevent further evasion.
Three-Member SIT Formed to Probe RTO Complaints
In a significant step, Sarnaik announced the formation of a three-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to independently probe complaints, video footage, and other allegations levelled against the RTO department. The SIT is headed by senior IPS officer Priyanka Naranaware and also includes Additional Transport Commissioner Ravi Gaikwad and Vigilance Officer Mandar Javale. The committee has been directed to submit its report within one month.
Tribal Development Officer Suspended in Bribery Case
Separately, Tribal Development Minister Ashok Uike informed the Assembly that a Class-1 Deputy Director (Research) posted at the Tribal Development Department's office in the MTNL building, Charai, Thane, has been placed under immediate suspension following a bribery case. Uike was responding to a query by MLA Raju Todsam, with MLA Dharmarao Atram also participating in the discussion.
According to Uike, the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) received a complaint on 13 February 2026 alleging that the officer had demanded a bribe to clear files related to Scheduled Tribe (ST) students. After verifying the complaint, an ACB team laid a trap at the Charai office and caught the Deputy Director red-handed while accepting a bribe of ₹25 lakh in the presence of witnesses. The official was immediately suspended following the arrest.
What Happens Next
A departmental chargesheet is being prepared with the Secretary's approval, and final administrative action will be determined based on the court's verdict. Additionally, a thorough investigation will be launched into all caste verification and validity certificates previously issued by the accused officer. Strict legal action will follow if any irregularities are uncovered, Uike confirmed.
With both the RTO inquiry and the tribal department bribery case now under formal investigation, Maharashtra's accountability machinery faces a test of whether institutional probes translate into lasting systemic reform.
Point of View
But the scale apparently warranted a Legislative Assembly intervention. The real question is whether an SIT with a one-month deadline can produce findings that survive political pressure; past Maharashtra departmental inquiries have a mixed record on follow-through. The simultaneous bribery arrest in the Tribal Development Department, involving ST student files no less, adds a sharper accountability dimension to what is otherwise a routine Assembly question hour. Two probes announced in a single session signal intent, but intent and institutional reform are rarely the same thing.
NationPress
7 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why has Maharashtra ordered an inquiry into the RTO?
Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis announced a high-level inquiry into the state's Regional Transport Office following allegations of malpractices, tax evasion, and irregularities raised in the Legislative Assembly on 7 July. A key concern is luxury vehicle owners registering their vehicles in union territories like Dadra and Nagar Haveli to avoid paying Maharashtra's higher taxes.
What is the Maharashtra RTO Special Investigation Team (SIT)?
A three-member SIT has been formed to independently investigate complaints, video footage, and other allegations against the RTO department. It is headed by senior IPS officer Priyanka Naranaware and also includes Additional Transport Commissioner Ravi Gaikwad and Vigilance Officer Mandar Javale, with a one-month deadline to submit its report.
How will Maharashtra prevent future RTO tax evasion?
Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik announced a stringent verification process that will cross-check GST records, bank loan documents, and residential proofs before vehicle registration. This is aimed at ensuring that Maharashtra-based vehicle owners cannot exploit lower-tax union territories for registration.
Who is the tribal development officer arrested for bribery in Thane?
A Class-1 Deputy Director (Research) posted at the Tribal Development Department's office in the MTNL building, Charai, Thane, was caught by the Anti-Corruption Bureau accepting a bribe of ₹25 lakh on a complaint received on 13 February 2026. The officer allegedly demanded the bribe to clear files related to Scheduled Tribe students and has since been suspended.
What happens to the tribal development officer's past decisions?
All caste verification and validity certificates previously issued by the accused officer will be subject to a thorough investigation. Strict legal action will follow if any irregularities are found, according to Tribal Development Minister Ashok Uike.
