In a city known for its traffic snarls and tech parks, a blazing red Ferrari SF90 Stradale found itself at the centre of a high-octane drama—not on the racetrack, but on Bengaluru’s roads. Here’s how a tax dodge led to one of the biggest single-vehicle recoveries in recent memory.
Credits: NDTV
Supercar, Super Trouble
The Ferrari SF90 Stradale, a hybrid supercar priced at an eye-watering ₹7.5 crore, had been turning heads in Bengaluru for all the right reasons—until now. The car, registered in Maharashtra, was spotted several times in the city, and soon landed on the radar of the Regional Transport Office (RTO), Bengaluru South.
On Thursday morning, RTO officials zeroed in on the vehicle and conducted a swift verification of its tax status. It turned out the car had not paid road tax in Karnataka, despite being used regularly on its roads—an offence that violates state transport laws.
Seizure and a Stern Warning
RTO officers acted immediately, seizing the Ferrari and issuing a formal notice to the owner. The notice didn’t mince words—it gave the owner time until evening to settle the tax dues or face legal consequences. Under Karnataka’s Motor Vehicles Act provisions, non-payment of lifetime road tax by out-of-state vehicles is punishable by fine, seizure, and prosecution.
With the pressure mounting, the Ferrari’s owner chose the fast lane—paying the full dues and penalties the same day. The total sum? A staggering ₹1,41,59,041.
Biggest Catch in Recent Memory
According to transport officials, this payment marks one of the largest single-vehicle tax recoveries in the state’s history. The case has now become a flagship example of Karnataka’s aggressive stance on tax evasion by owners of luxury vehicles who often register them in lower-tax states to avoid paying hefty local dues.
“This isn’t just about the money. It’s about fairness,” said an official. “Ordinary citizens who buy vehicles in Karnataka pay their taxes. Owners of luxury cars must do the same.”
Luxury Cars in the Crosshairs
This Ferrari fiasco is part of a larger, ongoing campaign. Back in February, the Karnataka Transport Department had launched a sweeping crackdown, seizing over 30 high-end cars, including Ferraris, Porsches, Audis, BMWs, Range Rovers, and Aston Martins. These vehicles were registered in states like Maharashtra, Puducherry, and Jharkhand, often to exploit lower tax brackets.
More than 40 RTO officers were deployed in the February operation, which spanned days and was widely covered in the media. In each case, owners were compelled to either pay back taxes or face legal action.
Tax Dodging on the Fast Lane
Road tax evasion has become a prevalent issue among India’s wealthy elite, particularly supercar owners who exploit interstate differences in lifetime road taxes. In states like Maharashtra and Karnataka, the road tax can climb into lakhs—or even crores—for ultra-luxury cars, prompting many to register vehicles in regions with lenient tax regimes.
However, under Section 47 of the Motor Vehicles Act, if a vehicle is used in another state for more than 12 months, re-registration and road tax payment in the new state is mandatory. Karnataka has been ramping up enforcement to close these loopholes.
Credits: Times of India
More Crackdowns on the Horizon
The transport department has made it clear: this is just the beginning. “This Ferrari case has set a precedent,” an RTO official noted. “We are actively monitoring and investigating luxury vehicles being used without appropriate tax compliance.”
For now, the red SF90 may be back on the roads—but as a symbol of Karnataka’s no-nonsense approach toward tax evasion. And if you’re driving a supercar in Bengaluru, make sure the papers are as spotless as the paint job.
