Lamborghini Doughnut Drifting Case: Ricky Rai's Car Not Registered with RTO, Police Probe Deepens
The high-profile Lamborghini doughnut drifting case in Bengaluru, allegedly involving Ricky Rai, son of former underworld operator Muthappa Rai, has taken a significant turn with regional transport office (RTO) officials revealing that the luxury sports car is not registered with them. This development adds a new layer of complexity to the ongoing police investigation into the incident that has captured public attention.
RTO Confirms Non-Registration of Lamborghini
In a formal communication, officials from the regional transport office (south) have informed the police that the white Lamborghini, seized by Cubbon Park traffic police, is not registered under their jurisdiction. The vehicle bore the license plate KA 05 NR 0009 at the time of seizure. However, investigations have uncovered that the original registration number of the Lamborghini was DL-1 CT-1515. Notably, RTO officials had issued a notice on October 28 last year for operating the vehicle without paying the requisite tax, highlighting prior regulatory issues.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (central division) Hakay Akshay Machindra stated that authorities had written to the RTO (south) seeking detailed documentation for the vehicle. In response, the RTO clarified that the Lamborghini is not registered with their office, raising questions about the car's legal status and ownership history. According to Machindra, Ricky Rai received a challan from the transport department on January 27 after applying for the fancy number KA-05-NR-0009, indicating attempts to regularize the vehicle's documentation.
Defense Claims Incident Was a Skid, Not a Stunt
The case has sparked a parallel narrative from Ricky Rai's legal team, who argue that the incident was misinterpreted. Rai's counsel, G Narayanswamy, asserted that the event was not a deliberate drifting stunt but rather a brake-related skid. Ricky Rai appeared before Cubbon Park traffic police on Monday evening after securing anticipatory bail and recorded his statement, maintaining that he was not driving the car during the incident on MG Road.
Narayanswamy elaborated that Rai's driver was behind the wheel at the time, and the episode occurred due to a skid when brakes were applied on a recently repaired stretch of road allegedly covered with mud. He claimed the driver managed to regain control and continue driving, with minimal traffic and no public nuisance involved. The defense further questioned the police action, arguing that such cases typically attract minor fines rather than a formal FIR, and alleged that Rai is being unfairly targeted in this matter.
Police Investigation and Ongoing Scrutiny
The Lamborghini came under scrutiny after reports of back-to-back doughnut stunts near Anil Kumble Circle and Queen's Circle between 2 am and 3 am last week. Traffic police have released visuals of the car on social media to support their investigation. A senior officer confirmed that the driver has admitted to operating the vehicle at the time of the incident, contradicting some aspects of the defense's claims.
As the investigation progresses, authorities are delving deeper into the vehicle's registration discrepancies and the circumstances surrounding the alleged stunts. The case highlights broader issues of traffic violations and regulatory compliance involving high-end vehicles in urban areas like Bengaluru.
This unfolding saga continues to draw public interest, with implications for legal proceedings and traffic enforcement policies in the city.
