'Lamborghini not registered with us': Bengaluru doughnut stunt row takes twist; RTO flags number plate issue

BENGALURU: The Lamborghini doughnut drifting case allegedly involving former underworld operator Muthappa Rai's son Ricky, has taken an interesting turn with regional transport office (south) officials writing to police that the luxury car is not registered with them.

The white sports vehicle, which was seized by Cubbon Park traffic police, had the licence plate, KA 05 NR 0009. Probe revealed the original number of Lamborghni was DL-1 CT-1515 and RTO officials issued a notice on Oct 28 last year for using the vehicle without paying tax.

DCP (central division) Hakay Akshay Machindra said they've written to RTO (south), seeking document details of the vehicle. However, in reply, RTO (south) said the Lamborghini is not registered with them, Machindra said.

According to Machindra, Ricky Rai got a challan from the transport department on Jan 27 after applying for fancy number KA-05-NR-0009. The car came under scrutiny for its back-to-back doughnut stunts near Anil Kumble Circle and Queen's Circle between 2am and 3am last week.

‘Not a stunt, but a skid’
The Lamborghini “drifting” case has also sparked a parallel claim from Ricky Rai’s counsel, who argued that the incident was not a deliberate stunt but a brake-related skid.

Rai appeared before Cubbon Park traffic police on Monday evening after securing anticipatory bail and recorded his statement, maintaining that he was not driving the car at the time of the incident on MG Road.

His lawyer, G Narayanswamy, said the episode was “misinterpreted as a drifting stunt,” adding that Rai’s driver was behind the wheel. He claimed there was minimal traffic at the time and no public nuisance.

According to the defence, the car skidded when brakes were applied on a recently repaired stretch allegedly covered with mud, but the driver managed to regain control and continue driving.

Narayanswamy also questioned the police action, arguing that such cases typically attract minor fines and not an FIR, and alleged that Rai was being unfairly targeted.

Meanwhile, traffic police have released visuals of the car on social media, while a senior officer confirmed that the driver has admitted to driving the vehicle. The investigation is ongoing.