India, June 9 -- Delhi, for years now, has witnessed a scrutiny of end-of-life vehicles (ELVs) to curb air pollution - it is mandatory for 15-year-old petrol vehicles and 10-year-old diesel vehicles to undergo fitness tests, failing which they are sent for scrapping. Recently too, chief minister Rekha Gupta announced the strict implementation of this policy from April this year.

While such vehicles are supposed to be sent to only "certified facilities" for scrapping, an unintended but damaging consequence is surfacing in the form of a strategic black market run by scrap mafias, say police officers aware of the matter.

The illegal activity takes place in two ways: Organised gangs in the guise of scrap dealers either directly lure vehicle...