Two years ago, Shankar Sisodia (name changed) did what thousands of car owners in Jaipur do without thinking twice: he hired an agent to renew a registration certificate (RC). His car had a coveted number from Rajasthan’s old seven-digit series — three letters and four numerals — from before the state moved to newer formats. Sisodia submitted the papers, paid the fee, and waited for the updated certificate.
The update was a shock. The RC had been renewed and transferred — without his consent — to the name of an official posted at the regional transport office (RTO), Jaipur (I).