Mumbai’s luxury car tax enforcement drive has resulted in challans against 35 of 65 vehicles checked at the Coastal Road and Bandra-Worli Sea Link toll plaza, with the Regional Transport Office preparing further action against vehicle dealers allegedly linked to tax evasion, the Times of India reported.
The Tardeo RTO conducted the checking operation until late Saturday night. Officials found that the penalised vehicles had not paid the mandatory Maharashtra motor vehicle tax. Transport Commissioner Rajesh Narvekar said notices would also be issued to seek cancellation of the licences of some dealers involved in the violations.
The RTO has identified at least five dealers in Mumbai for possible action, according to an official cited in the report. Owners of the vehicles will be required to pay the pending taxes as well as penalties. The maximum tax liability in some cases can be as high as Rs 30 lakh.
The operation followed an earlier crackdown by the Andheri RTO on high-end and imported vehicles registered in Union Territories, particularly Diu and Daman. Officials said several cars had been registered outside Maharashtra using external address proofs, even though they were being permanently used in Mumbai. Such registrations can allow owners to avoid taxes applicable in the state where the vehicles are primarily operated.
In south Mumbai alone, 132 high-end vehicles have been checked and penalised for non-payment of taxes this year, the report said. The latest checks expand enforcement beyond individual vehicle owners to the dealer network that may facilitate registration and documentation for vehicles operating in Maharashtra.
The Andheri RTO also continued its enforcement operation on Saturday, inspecting 55 luxury cars and issuing formal tax assessment notices to 32 owners. Officials confiscated the associated vehicle documents, which will undergo mandatory re-verification at the RTO. The operation was led by Deputy RTO Swapnil Mane with assistant RTO officers and motor vehicle inspectors.
Deputy RTO Nikhil Salunkhe said vehicles registered in other states, particularly Diu and Daman, had been found operating in Mumbai despite being used permanently in the city. Narvekar said the immediate objective was to enforce the rules, curb tax evasion and recover state revenue. The transport department has advised motorists using out-of-state luxury vehicles in Maharashtra to regularise their documents and pay the applicable taxes.
