Strict Action Ordered Over Irregularities in Vehicle Fitness Certificates: Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik

Inquiry into Form 38A violations; report to be submitted immediately to the government

Private Automated Testing Stations to get stricter SOP; Motor Vehicle Inspectors to be deployed

Mumbai, July 31: Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik has ordered a thorough investigation into serious irregularities in the issuance of vehicle fitness certificates under Form 38A of the Motor Vehicles Act, directing the Transport Commissioner to submit the inquiry report to the government without delay and initiate strict action against officials found guilty.

The move comes amid allegations of corruption in the Regional Transport Office (RTO) system. Following directions issued by the minister during the Monsoon Session, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) had already been constituted to probe complaints involving serving and retired transport officials. The latest action extends the crackdown to alleged violations in the vehicle fitness certification process.

A committee headed by the Joint Transport Commissioner, constituted on March 5, 2026, found several serious lapses during its inquiry. These include delays in issuing Form 38 beyond the mandatory 15-day period after Form 38A, issuance of certificates by transport authorities other than the original registering authority, and fitness certificates granted to vehicles lacking mandatory Vehicle Location Tracking Devices (VLTDs) or Speed Limiting Devices.

The inquiry identified significant irregularities in transport offices at Panvel, Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad, Vashi, Thane, Andheri, Wadala, Nagpur, and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.

Sarnaik stressed that vehicle fitness inspections are directly linked to public safety and warned that no compromise would be tolerated. “Granting fitness certificates to unfit vehicles by bypassing regulations is a serious offence. Strict action will be taken against all those found responsible,” he said.

To prevent such violations in future, the Transport Department has also decided to frame a uniform and stringent Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for all Automated Testing Stations (ATS) across Maharashtra. The SOP will include the deployment of Motor Vehicle Inspectors at private ATS facilities to ensure transparency, accountability, and strict compliance in vehicle fitness testing.

The minister reiterated that any system endangering public safety in the name of vehicle fitness certification would not be tolerated, emphasizing that safe vehicles, transparent inspections, and responsible administration remain the department’s top priorities.