UP man's 'Heli Car' seized by cops, fined for unauthorized modification of vehicle
Lucknow: A local resident in Ambedkar Nagar had ambitious plans to soar to new heights in mechanics by transforming his car into what resembled a helicopter. However, his dreams were grounded by the intervention of local police, who not only confiscated the modified ‘Helicar’ but also imposed a fine on the owner.
Ishwar Deen, a resident of Khajuri Bazar, took the initiative to weld a helicopter rotor onto the roof of his old car, giving it the appearance of a chopper. Additionally, he attached the tail rotor of a helicopter to the car's boot. Deen had invested Rs 2.5 lakh in the project and was prepared to paint the modified vehicle when he was halted by a traffic policeman.
The traffic officer issued Deen a fine for unauthorized modifications and confiscated the car, dubbed the "car copter," and “Helicar’ until the fine was paid. Deen had envisioned using the unique vehicle as a mode of transport during special occasions like weddings to earn additional income for his family.
While Deen emphasized that the vehicle was intended for occasional use during weddings rather than regular transportation, the police cited safety concerns as the primary reason for confiscation. They confirmed that the vehicle had been modified without proper authorization under the Motor Vehicles Act.
Assistant Superintendent of Police Vishal Pandey explained, "Following the enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct, the police have been conducting regular vehicle checks. This vehicle was intercepted during one such inspection, and we are further investigating the matter."
A video of Deen's creation parked outside a police station in Ambedkar Nagar has since gone viral on social media, garnering attention for its unconventional appearance and the subsequent police intervention.
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ED cracks down on suspected interstate liquor racket, raids 9 sites in Arunachal
Itanagar (PTI): The Enforcement Directorate has carried out coordinated searches at nine locations across Arunachal Pradesh in connection with a suspected large-scale interstate liquor smuggling and money laundering network, officials said on Monday.
The action, taken under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), is part of an expanding probe that points to a syndicate exploiting tax differentials among states.
Officials said liquor designated for sale within Arunachal Pradesh was allegedly diverted and supplied illegally to markets in Assam and other states.
The searches, conducted earlier this week, spanned multiple towns such as Itanagar, Naharlagun, Seppa, Ziro, Daporijo, Namsai and Roing, targeting wholesale liquor businesses suspected of being linked to the network.
According to officials, the investigation stems from a series of FIRs registered by Assam Police over the illegal transportation of liquor from Arunachal Pradesh into Assam.
Inputs from the Assam Excise Department further strengthened the case. An Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) was registered on October 17, 2024, and later widened through an addendum incorporating 173 additional FIRs.
Earlier searches conducted on February 4 last year, at premises linked to three alleged key operators, believed to be major liquor manufacturers, had revealed indications of a well-coordinated operation.
Investigators suspect that the network functioned through a chain of manufacturers, bonded warehouses and wholesalers, while masking real ownership using proxy arrangements such as tribal partnerships and dummy licence holders.
During the latest ED operations, the agency found that several wholesale units were operating under proxy licences issued in the names of local individuals, while actual control remained with the suspected masterminds.
Financial scrutiny revealed that between 51 and 90 per cent of total credits in certain bank accounts comprised unexplained cash deposits.
Investigators also flagged a pattern of invoice splitting, with transactions deliberately kept below Rs 2 lakh to avoid scrutiny. In one instance, more than 200 invoices of identical value of Rs 1,99,554 were generated within a single month at one location.
On-ground staff reportedly confirmed that records, including stock registers and daily cash collections, were being routed to offices associated with the alleged controllers.
The ED said it seized approximately Rs 40 lakh in unaccounted cash during the searches.
In a significant finding, 14 seals, some purportedly belonging to the Excise Department of the Arunachal Pradesh government, were recovered from one of the premises. These are suspected to have been used to create fake transport permits to facilitate the unauthorised movement of liquor.
Further investigation is underway, officials added.
