Patna : The Economic Offences Unit (EOU) of Bihar Police has arrested former Motor Vehicle Inspector Sunil Kumar Singh in connection with the alleged wrongful identification and auction of a stolen Scorpio seized with liquor in Gopalganj district.
Singh, who was posted in Gaya at the time of his arrest, allegedly prepared a vehicle valuation report without physically verifying the Scorpio before its auction, according to the EOU. Investigators allege that the report mentioned the registration number and minimum value but omitted the engine and chassis numbers required to establish the vehicle’s identity.
The EOU said Singh was being sent to jail following questioning.
Scorpio Seized With 340 Litres Of Liquor In 2020
According to the investigation, a Scorpio was seized with approximately 340 litres of liquor on June 19, 2020, in the jurisdiction of Sidhwalia police station in Gopalganj district. A case was registered under Sidhwalia police station case number 125/2020.
At the time of seizure, the vehicle carried registration number BR06PD9070. However, verification of its engine and chassis numbers reportedly established its actual registration number as JH01CJ7840.
The discrepancy between the number plate and the vehicle’s actual identity became a central issue in the subsequent auction process.
Vehicle Owner Had Reported It Stolen In 2019
The Scorpio belonged to Radheyshyam Singh, a resident of Jharkhand. He had lodged a vehicle theft complaint at Dinara police station in Rohtas district on December 27, 2019.
Despite the theft complaint, the vehicle was seized and subsequently acquired and auctioned under registration number BR06PD9070, according to the report. The alleged failure to establish its actual identity before the auction raised questions about how the process was completed without the registered owner’s claim being considered.
Following a petition by the owner and an order of the Patna High Court, the EOU registered a separate case on November 20, 2025. The case was registered as EOU police station case number 42/2025.
Three Other Accused Arrested Earlier
The latest arrest follows the arrests of three other people allegedly connected with the case.
Former investigating officer Rajendra Ram was arrested on October 8. Earlier, on September 14, the EOU arrested Kanhaiya Lal, a former clerk at the district transport office, and Haider Ali Ansari, a data entry operator.
The investigation is examining how the vehicle was identified, valued and auctioned despite the discrepancy in its registration details. The EOU is also probing the roles of other accused in the case.
The case raises questions about vehicle verification procedures and safeguards for owners whose vehicles are seized and subsequently auctioned by authorities. The allegations against the arrested officials remain subject to the ongoing investigation and legal proceedings.
