A routine inspection by the Regional Transport Office (RTO) in Mulund has exposed an alleged fake vehicle registration and chassis number scam involving Orchids International School, after officials found a school-linked vehicle running with forged documents and mismatched chassis details. The irregularity, which allegedly went undetected for over two years, has led to an FIR at Navghar police station, with the RTO estimating a Rs 8.66 lakh loss to the Maharashtra Transport Department.
According to Sanket Chavan, the RTO motor vehicle inspector who detected the irregularity, the issue came to light on Tuesday afternoon, during a routine inspection near the fire brigade office at Gavhanpada in Mulund East. When the RTO team checked a bus, they noticed discrepancies in its registration details. A physical verification of the vehicle revealed that the chassis number stamped on the bus did not match the registration and number plate details available in official records, following which the vehicle was detained and its documents were subjected to a detailed verification.
“This raised serious suspicions as the chassis number is the primary identity of a vehicle,” Chavan said, adding that further scrutiny showed the bus had allegedly been operated without valid registration for over two years (since October 2023). This led to evasion of motor vehicle tax and other statutory dues payable to the transport department, amounting to Rs 8,66,421.
What is the irregularity
Orchid allegedly purchased the bus from VE Commercial Vehicle Ltd — a dealer located at Dapoda village in Bhiwandi, Thane district — for use as a school vehicle in Mulund East. However, officials allege that mandatory protocols under the Motor Vehicles Act were not followed, including proper registration, verification, and payment of applicable motor vehicle tax. Instead, the bus was allegedly operated using forged registration details and a mismatched number plate, allowing it to run on city roads without valid authorisation.
Cops take action
The FIR names the educational institute, its director and principal, the vehicle dealer, the driver, and others as accused, alleging that their acts resulted in cheating the Maharashtra Transport Department of government revenue. Based on these findings, police have invoked sections related to endangering life or personal safety of others, cheating, forgery and conspiracy under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, in addition to provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act.
“It is the school’s responsibility to ensure its buses comply with all rules, not just legally but also for children’s safety. In this case, the school failed to verify the vehicle’s registration for over two years, during which the bus was run illegally,” said Chavan. “This is also about public awareness, and parents should check whether school buses are properly registered.”
School’s response
mid-day tried to contact several individuals from the school management but couldn’t reach any of them. The school principal, Rachana Kamath, said she has no information about the incident.
Oct
Month in 2023 bus was pressed into service
What transpired…
. School-linked unregistered bus operated for over two years
. Vehicle displayed number plate not matching chassis number
. Operator managed to avoid paying road tax and RTO fees
. Irregularity detected during a routine RTO inspection
What is chassis number?
It is a vehicle’s unique ID code. It is stamped on the vehicle’s frame. RTOs use it to verify registration, ownership, tax. Any mismatch could mean forgery, illegal operation.
What parents should check
. Valid registration number
. Registration Certificate (RC) matching the bus
. School name in permits
. Fitness certificate and insurance
. Driver’s licence and badge
How evasion amount got to Rs 8.66 lakh
Motor vehicle tax Rs 8.61L
Registration fee Rs1,200L
Inspection fee Rs 800L
Smart card fee Rs 200
Postal charges Rs 58
Loan endorsement Rs 3,000
charges
Total Rs 8,66,421
