In a concerning incident, the Regional Transport Office (RTO) in Pune experienced a security breach as an unidentified individual hacked into the ‘Citizens Portal app’ and issued fitness certificates to nine vehicles illegally. The hacker gained access by using the login credentials of a woman motor vehicle inspector, according to the police.
The motor vehicle inspector, aged 45, promptly lodged a First Information Report (FIR) at the Bundgarden police station on Friday, bringing attention to this alarming breach of security. The incident itself occurred between 2:53 pm and 6:19 pm on November 17, 2022.
Fitness certificates are a crucial aspect of vehicle compliance, ensuring that vehicles meet the required standards for safe operation. The RTO employs a computerized system to issue these certificates, and motor vehicle inspectors log into the Citizen’s Portal application every working day to carry out this process.
Fortunately, the Pune RTO detected the breach during the verification process, preventing any potential harm or misuse arising from the unauthorized issuance of fitness certificates. However, the incident has raised concerns about the vulnerability of the RTO’s digital infrastructure and the security measures in place.
Law enforcement agencies have already made progress in the investigation, identifying the IP address associated with the computer device used by the perpetrator. The individual responsible for the hacking has been booked under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code, including Section 465, along with various sections of the Information Technology (IT) Act.
Police inspector Ashvini Satpute has been assigned to investigate the case further, aiming to uncover the motive behind the breach and bring the responsible party to justice. The authorities are treating the incident with the seriousness it deserves and working diligently to prevent future security breaches in the RTO’s systems.
