Karnataka High Court quashes FIR in demo supercar case; slams RTO seizure

The High Court allowed investigation into the alleged manipulation of RTO records during the proceedings, and later quashed the FIR while criticising the seizure. Justice M. Nagaprasanna remarked that officials had no mandate to enter a home and seize a vehicle without proper legal authority, and warned that such actions should not be repeated. The court noted that forged invoices and manipulated registration records had reportedly caused financial loss to the state exchequer, and that the car had remained unregistered for nearly four years with RTO database records altered to appear newly manufactured and freshly registered.

A senior Bengaluru RTO officer, along with other officials, allegedly entered Rama's premises in his absence and seized the vehicle, which was later taken to the Yelahanka New Town police station on Allalasandra Main Road. Upon Rama's return, a Zero FIR and criminal case were registered against him, with charges including cheating, forgery and fabrication of documents linked to the vehicle's registration. The case was filed under Sections 318(4) and 336(3) read with Section 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

Bengaluru resident Rama purchases a demo supercar that was originally manufactured in 2021 and briefly registered in 2022 before being returned by its first owner. The dealer reportedly informed Rama about the car's demo status prior to sale.