Shillong: Meghalaya authorities have swung into action, pulling the plug on all unauthorised vehicle rental operations across the state. This drastic step comes after a shocking homicide case unearthed a disturbing connection to these unregulated services, prompting an immediate crackdown from transport officials.
The state’s transport department has declared a complete ban on private two-wheeler and four-wheeler rental businesses, asserting that such activities are now entirely prohibited. This decisive move follows significant findings from the ongoing investigation into the brutal murder of Raja Raghuvanshi, where evidence clearly indicated that illegal rental services played a facilitating role in the heinous crime.
Investigators revealed that Raghuvanshi, his wife, and the trio accused of his killing, had all procured motorcycles from unlicensed rental operators in Shillong. These vehicles were then used to travel to Sohra, the very location where the tragic murder unfolded. This critical discovery proved to be the catalyst for the transport authorities’ swift and stringent regulatory response.
The state transport commissioner underscored the gravity of the situation, explicitly stating that Meghalaya has never officially sanctioned any rental schemes for motorcycles or cars. This means, by default, all existing operations are inherently illegal. Officials further elaborated that these businesses are in clear violation of central motor vehicle legislation, which is specifically designed to regulate commercial transportation services.
Under current law, any vehicle utilised for commercial purposes mandates special permits, and operating without such proper authorisation carries severe repercussions. Violators now face the grim prospect of potential criminal charges, hefty financial penalties, and the immediate seizure of their vehicles by enforcement teams.
The focus of this sweeping crackdown is particularly aimed at areas like Keating Road, a known hub where numerous illegal rental operations have been identified. These businesses have flourished without any oversight, thereby creating significant safety risks and regulatory loopholes that, as the Raghuvanshi case tragically highlights, criminals have exploited with impunity.
Transport authorities have firmly emphasised that this prohibition is fundamentally in the interest of public safety, aiming to prevent the misuse of rental vehicles for criminal undertakings. The department issued a stern warning, affirming that enforcement will be exhaustive, targeting not only the operators running these illicit services but also individuals actively promoting them through various forms of advertising.
Officials have indicated that this blanket ban will remain firmly in place until such time as proper regulatory frameworks can be meticulously developed to govern legitimate vehicle rental businesses within the state, ensuring that such tragic incidents are not repeated.
Read More: Crackdown in Manipur: Six Suspected Militants Nabbed, Arms Seized