The Haryana Transport Department has scrapped a record-breaking bid of ₹1.17 crore for the coveted vehicle registration number HR-88B-8888. The cancellation came after the winning bidder failed to deposit the massive sum within the stipulated deadline.
Bid Forfeited After Payment Failure
The department took strict action, not only cancelling the bid but also seizing the bidder's security deposit of ₹11,000. The high-profile number, which had a base price of ₹50,000, will now go under the hammer again in a fresh online auction scheduled for Wednesday evening.
Confirming the development, Haryana Transport Commissioner Atul Kumar stated that the bidder was given time until midnight on Tuesday to complete the payment, which was not done. "Since the amount was not deposited, the bid has been cancelled. The number will be included again in the online auction scheduled for Wednesday evening," Kumar said.
No Second Chance for Defaulting Bidders
The commissioner clarified important rules governing such defaults. He explained that there is no provision to allot the number to the second-highest bidder if the top bidder backs out. The only recourse is to put the number up for auction again.
He also detailed a policy for habitual defaulters. If a bidder repeatedly wins auctions—up to five times—and consistently fails to make payments, they can be blocked from participating in future bids. However, officials first verify if the bidder faced genuine technical issues during the payment process before imposing such a ban.
The Allure of the 'Lucky' Number
The number plate HR-88B-8888 belongs to the Badhra subdivision of Charkhi Dadri district. Its extraordinary appeal stems from a unique visual trick. When written on a number plate, the segment "88B" is often stylised by vehicle owners to look like the digit '8'. This makes it appear as if the plate displays the lucky number eight seven times in a row—a highly sought-after combination considered auspicious and a status symbol.
The bid of ₹1.17 crore last Wednesday shattered previous records and sparked widespread discussion and fascination across Haryana and beyond, highlighting the intense demand for special vehicle registration numbers in the state.
