Cricketer Buys Fortuner But Can't Drive His Brand New SUV: Here's Why

Just a few days ago, after returning from England, Indian fast bowler Akash Deep treated himself and his family to a brand-new Toyota Fortuner SUV. He shared an image of his new SUV from the dealership where he took delivery of it with his family members. Unfortunately, despite buying his dream SUV, the fast bowler cannot enjoy driving his vehicle on public roads. The reason, you may ask? Well, he has been served a Vehicle Use Prohibition Notice by the Uttar Pradesh Transport Department.

Akash Deep buys Toyota Fortuner but can't drive it

According to reports, the Uttar Pradesh government has sent the Indian fast bowler, who performed flawlessly in the recently drawn England Test series, a notice to stop driving his brand-new Toyota Fortuner. The main reason behind this notice is that Akash Deep’s Fortuner currently does not have a High-Security Registration Plate (HSRP) or Third Registration Mark.

The legal notice highlighted that under Sections 39, 41(6), and 207 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, no vehicle shall be used in a public place without proper registration and display of a registration mark. As per the notice, the fast bowler cannot drive his new Fortuner until the registration process of his SUV is completed by the dealership and the Uttar Pradesh Transport Department.

It has also been added that the vehicle should compulsorily have a High-Security Registration Plate, a Third Registration Mark applied, and a valid insurance policy for the purchased vehicle. The notice also mentions that if the owner of the vehicle (Akash Deep) violates the order, the vehicle will be seized and prosecution will be initiated.

Notice against Toyota dealership

In addition to Akash Deep, the Toyota dealership—M/s Sunny Motors, Chinhat, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh—has also been sent a legal notice. The dealership has been accused of delivering a vehicle without completing mandatory registration or fitting an HSRP. The dealership has also been suspended for one month.

The Uttar Pradesh Transport Department officials have claimed that the dealership issued the sale invoice dated August 7 and the insurance was completed on August 8. However, the road tax of the vehicle has not been paid, and the registration currently stands incomplete. The department has given the dealership 14 days to provide a legally valid explanation or face cancellation of the trade certificate.

What is HSRP?

For those who may not be aware, a High-Security Registration Plate, or HSRP, is a new laser-coded, non-removable screwed plate that comes with a hologram. It has been introduced by the Government of India to provide tamper-proof identification. It is mandatory for all vehicles under the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989 (Rule 44).

Akash Deep's Toyota Fortuner

The Indian fast bowler, as mentioned, recently took delivery of his black-colored Toyota Fortuner in Lucknow. He shared images of himself taking delivery of his brand-new SUV with his family members. In his post, he stated, “Dream delivered. Keys received. With the ones who matter most.” The exact variant opted for by the cricketer is currently unknown; however, it appears that he has chosen the standard Fortuner and not the Legender.