Hyderabad
The Independence Day ride for the rich and famous owners of luxury cars was a day that is continuing to haunt them as a 30 member special team of the RTA set up roadblocks near the airport road. The team seized 11 high-end vehicles for tax evasion and returned them their cars on August 16 after submitting an affidavit and paying the taxes.
These cars were tracked by the RTA's special team led by K Papa Rao for almost six months and were finally stopped on August 15. The RTA knew these cars were not the only cars in the city that were evading tax, and the number of such cars is close to 100 more. The RTA has written to the central authority and closely monitoring these cars that they tracked down to locate another 100 cars evading life and road taxes.
These cars are mostly seen together in groups of 4s and 5s ripping the ORR's and High tension roads near the IT Hubs, and their videos being posted on social media. Most of these cars are brought in from Maharashtra and Pondicherry because of the number plates with these place initials.
The RTA might earn more than 150 crores if they locate all the luxury cars they suspect tax evasion. The RTA has also stated that these owners might have to pay way more than the applicable taxes if they are caught or do not pay the taxes as soon as possible. Out of 1000+ cars in the state, close to 950 vehicles are in the twin cities and out of which 11 have been caught and paid taxes, with 100 more still evading taxes.