The Hyderabad Traffic Police have launched a special enforcement drive against vehicles using fake, tampered and unauthorised number plates, registering six criminal cases over the past week and seizing multiple vehicles.The crackdown follows a rise in complaints relating to fake number plates, which police said were being used to conceal vehicle identities, evade traffic enforcement and facilitate other offences.The cases were registered across Sultan Bazar, Mehdipatnam and Bahadurpura police station limits in Hyderabad, besides Peddapalli (Ramagundam), Medipally (Medchal-Malkajgiri) and Kattangur in Nalgonda district.According to the police, the cases involve a range of vehicles including Activa scooters, a Ford EcoSport, a Hero HF Deluxe motorcycle and a Bajaj Pulsar. Among those booked are Farhat Begum of Asifnagar, Mir Mujahed Ali and Mohammed Abbas of Masab Tank, Zaker Jeelani of Bahadurpura, N. Veeresham of Peddapalli, K. Venkat Reddy of Medipally and Karingu Srinu of Nalgonda.Police said in several cases the registration numbers displayed on the vehicles did not match the actual vehicles, while in others the genuine registration numbers are yet to be ascertained.Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic) D. Joel Davis said only government-approved High Security Registration Plates (HSRP) are legally permitted and warned that custom-made plates, altered registration numbers, missing digits and temporary sticker plates are illegal.The Hyderabad Traffic Police reiterated its zero-tolerance policy against fake number plates, warning that violators would face criminal prosecution and seizure of their vehicles. Officials said the special enforcement drive would continue across the city as part of efforts to improve road safety, strengthen traffic enforcement and aid crime prevention. Published - July 31, 2026 06:45 pm IST