BENGALURU: Two youths, including a computer operator from Andhra Pradesh, have been arrested by city police on charges of selling stolen motorbikes by producing fake registration certificates (RC cards). Police seized as many as 51 two-wheelers worth over Rs 41 lakh from the accused, identified as Chittappa Gary Anand, 33, a resident of Laggaere, and his associate Sheik Shafir Basha, 27, from Nandyal in Andhra Pradesh. While Chittappa faces 10 previous cases of vehicle theft, Basha has one case against him, an investigating officer said. The motorbikes and other two-wheelers were stolen from different parts of the city, Davanagere, as well as from Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.According to DCP (Electronic City Division) M Narayana, Chittappa would steal two-wheelers (mostly motorbikes) at night or from vehicles parked in desolate places. “After riding for some distance, Chittappa would load the bike onto a pre-arranged goods truck, which would then stop at the Karnataka–Andhra Pradesh border. There, Chittappa would hand over the bike to Basha, who would quickly replace the license plate,” he said.The DCP further said that police will visit Regional Transport Offices (RTOs) in Andhra Pradesh, as accused Basha was allegedly stealing details of motorbike owners to produce fake RC cards. “Basha would steal names, addresses, and registration numbers of motorbikes registered in Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Bihar, and Puducherry. He would then manufacture fake plastic RC cards with counterfeit chips. Using these fake documents, Basha would sell the bikes by advertising them on social media. As a result, two motorbikes bearing the same license plate were found running on roads. This is a serious threat to national security,” Narayana said.
