Major Car Theft Operation Uncovered in Assam

In a significant breakthrough, Jonai police have dismantled a large inter-State car theft operation, recovering 15 vehicles that were illicitly rented in Assam and sold in Arunachal Pradesh. The alleged mastermind, Rupjyoti Das, has been arrested after running the scam for nearly two years. Victims reported their vehicles missing, leading to a swift investigation that uncovered a complex web of deceit involving fake bank affiliations. As the investigation continues, authorities expect further recoveries and arrests, shedding light on the scale of this fraudulent operation.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jan 18, 2026, 12:23 IST

Police Bust Inter-State Car Theft Ring

Guwahati, Jan 18: Authorities in Jonai have successfully dismantled a large inter-State car theft operation, recovering at least 15 vehicles over the last week that were illicitly rented in Assam and subsequently sold in Arunachal Pradesh.

The alleged leader of this scheme, Rupjyoti Das, aged 38, from Regent Paradise at Ghoramora Chariali in Guwahati, has been taken into custody. Investigators indicate that Das orchestrated this fraud for nearly two years, with the total number of illegally sold vehicles likely being much higher.

The operation was uncovered after a victim reported that his rented SUV, identified as 700, had inexplicably appeared in Arunachal Pradesh. Following this lead, Jonai Officer-in-Charge Dipendra Chetri located the vehicle in Nari, close to the Assam-Arunachal border.

According to police reports, Das impersonated a cluster head for HSBC Bank, persuading car owners to lease their vehicles under the guise that they would be utilized for new bank branches opening across Assam. “Most of the vehicles were brand new,” noted Chetri.

After the initial recovery, several victims from Guwahati, Udalguri, and other regions of Assam approached the Jonai police with similar grievances. With the help of Hatigaon and Pasighat police, teams were able to recover 15 vehicles from various locations in Arunachal Pradesh, some after extensive pursuit of the suspects.

“Most of the vehicles were equipped with tracking systems, which facilitated our recovery efforts. One vehicle was retrieved based on specific intelligence. We are still searching for four additional vehicles,” the OC stated.

Investigators disclosed that the vehicles were sold in Arunachal Pradesh at significantly reduced prices, with buyers misled into believing that the cars had been repossessed by banks due to loan defaults. They were promised that the necessary documents would be provided later, documents that never existed.

While many victims continued to receive rental payments for a time, the full extent of the fraud became evident when vehicles began disappearing without explanation.

In a surprising development, Das’s wife had previously reported him missing at the Hatigaon police station on December 26, claiming he had vanished. He was ultimately apprehended by Hatigaon police two days ago, effectively concluding this elaborate scam.

Authorities anticipate that additional recoveries and arrests may occur as the investigation progresses.