Late-Night Check Turns Dramatic
On the night of April 10, 2026, traffic police in the upscale locality of Jubilee Hills were conducting routine drunk driving checks near the Chiranjeevi Blood Bank. During the operation, officers flagged down a BMW driven by Dr. Gautham Reddy, a 30-year-old resident of Gandhinagar.
A breathalyser test revealed a blood alcohol level of 137 mg per 100 ml—more than four times the legal limit of 30 mg. What followed next turned a standard traffic stop into a headline-grabbing incident.
A Cinematic Twist on the Road
When questioned by the police, Reddy reportedly pressed a remote control, instantly flipping his car’s number plate from a Telangana registration (TS9FQ9999) to a Delhi registration (DL6CM7097). The seamless switch stunned officers on the spot.
The gadget resembled the high-tech tricks often seen in the fictional world of James Bond, particularly in films like GoldenEye and Skyfall, where vehicles are equipped with advanced disguise mechanisms.
Investigation Reveals Deception
Further investigation uncovered that the Telangana registration number belonged to another BMW owned by Reddy’s family. Meanwhile, the Delhi number plate was found to be fake, allegedly used to evade e-challans and surveillance cameras.
According to officials, while tampering with number plates is not uncommon, the use of such advanced technology is rare and suggests a deliberate attempt to bypass law enforcement systems. Authorities suspect that a private modification or décor shop may have installed the mechanism, and a probe is underway to identify any accomplices.
Legal Trouble Ahead
Following the incident, the police seized the vehicle and initiated legal action against Reddy. He now faces charges under the Motor Vehicles Act for drunk driving, along with additional charges of cheating and impersonation.
Officials emphasized the seriousness of the violation, noting that the driver’s blood alcohol level was dangerously high. The case has since drawn widespread attention, highlighting both the misuse of technology and the risks of reckless driving.
