Bengaluru Advocate Suspects ‘Vehicles Fitness Certificates’ Scam In Karnataka, Demands Inquiry

BENGALUR: S. Nataraja Sharma, a Bengaluru-based advocate, has demanded a high-level inquiry into the issuance of Certificates of Fitness by Motor Vehicle Inspectors (IMV) for nearly 10,000 non-State vehicles, mostly belonging to Maharashtra, Gujarat and Kerala, without proper physical examination within a short period of time.

The lawyer representing the Karnataka Private Bus Owners Association alleged that physical fitness certificates of as many as 10,000 vehicles belonging to other States were issued by Motor Vehicle Inspectors such as senior IMV of Bengaluru Central RTO Nissar Ahmed, AA Khan, HM Manjunath and Narasimha Reddy, all Motor Vehicle Inspectors from August 2025 to January 2026.

While a physical examination is required under the provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 and the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, counsel argued that the issuance of Fitness Certificates by the Motor Vehicles Inspectors is mandatory; but these Motor Vehicle Inspectors allegedly issued mechanical fitness certificates without physical inspection of the vehicles.

“The multiplicity of certifications, often attributed to a single officer, raises serious doubts as to whether proper physical inspections of vehicles, brake tests, emission verification, structural compatibility, safety equipment checks and other statutory requirements are actually carried out,” the lawyer said in a memorandum submitted to the Karnataka State Transport Commissioner in Bengaluru.

To support his claims against IMVs, Nataraja Sharma added monthly details of Certificates of Eligibility issued by Nissar Ahmed, AA Khan, HM Manjunath and Narasimha Reddy.

According to the lawyer, Nissar Ahmed issued 646 FCs in August 2025, of which around 636 belonged to Maharashtra and Gujarat. AA Khan issued FC for 10 non-Government vehicles. Continuing, the lawyer said that a total of 1,168 vehicles were issued FC in September 2025 and around 1,149 vehicles belonged to Maharashtra and Gujarat. It gave details of FCs issued by these four IMVs in October, November, December (2025) and also in January 2026.