Keralam MVD to digitise vehicle inspections after autorickshaw driver’s death inquiry

The Transport department has decided to introduce a digitalised system for vehicle fitness inspections in Keralam, replacing manual registers. The decision follows an inquiry into the death of an autorickshaw driver in Malappuram, reportedly linked to a delay in clearing his vehicle’s fitness test by the Motor Vehicles department (MVD). While the inquiry report found no evidence to substantiate the corruption charges levelled by the victim in connection with the incident, it pointed to procedural lapses and sought an explanation from the MVD officer who conducted the fitness test.

Transport Minister C.P. John ordered the Transport Secretary to seek an explanation from the officer who committed lapses in recording the details of the test in the Certificate of Fitness Rejection Report (CFRR) within 15 days, and to recommend appropriate further action against the officer after examining the explanation. The report also said that it cannot be assumed that the circumstances leading to auto driver Shoukath Ali’s death were due to the lapses of the MVD alone.

According to the report, the fitness inspection of Shoukath Ali’s autorickshaw was conducted by Assistant Motor Vehicles Inspector N. Premkumar on November 13, 2025. Since the vehicle had undergone structural modifications that were not permitted by law, the officer directed that the vehicle be re-examined after rectifying the defects. However, the information regarding the rejection of the application was not recorded in the CFRR form, as required under Rule 110 of the Kerala Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989.

The report also denied the allegation that the AMVI who inspected the vehicle denied fitness to the vehicle because the victim did not pay a bribe or approach the officer through an agent. The investigation found no evidence that the AMVI deliberately tried to deny fitness for vested interests. However, since there was a procedural lapse in not recording the rejection of the application in the CFRR form, the report said it was appropriate to issue a show-cause notice and seek an explanation from the officer. After examining the officer’s explanation, appropriate further action may be taken accordingly.

As part of introducing a completely digitalised vehicle fitness inspection system, the report recommended introducing a unique digital inspection ID for each vehicle inspection. Other recommendations include conducting vehicle inspections through officer logins; preparing a digital checklist of defects; introducing a system to upload photos/videos of each defect identified during the test; digitally authenticating the inspecting officer; recording online whether the vehicle has passed, failed, or requires re-inspection; notifying the applicant through SMS, WhatsApp, or online notifications; preparing the CFRR digitally and providing it to the applicant; providing an online facility to schedule the re-inspection date; displaying the defects identified during the inspection before each re-inspection; introducing a QR code/online tracking system; controlling the involvement of middlemen; and strengthening internal vigilance.