India, March 21 -- The state transport department is investigating another alleged racket in the Andheri Regional Transport Office (RTO), in which inspectors and staff are suspected to have issued fitness certificates to vehicles without a thorough inspection. The malpractice allegedly took place between 2023 and 2024, the same period during which 76,000 driving licenses were allegedly issued by the same RTO after bogus tests.

In the alleged vehicle fitness fraud, not only were a higher number of vehicles given fitness certificates, but these were issued during weekends and on holidays when all RTOs are shut. "We have no issues with RTO officers working during weekends, and we appreciate their efforts," said a senior official from the tr...