Dhaka man jailed for tampering with license plate to evade AI traffic surveillance

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Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) have arrested a motorcyclist who used adhesive tape to obscure his vehicle’s license plate in a deliberate attempt to evade the city’s AI-based traffic surveillance systems. Following his apprehension, the suspect, identified as 38-year-old Lablu Haque of the capital’s Lalbagh area, was presented before a special magistrate’s court, which sentenced him to one month in prison and imposed a fine of 2,000 taka.

The incident gained public attention on May 19 when images of the modified license plate began circulating on social media and in local news reports. Addressing a press conference at the DMP Media Center on Tuesday, Additional Commissioner of Traffic Anisur Rahman noted that the maneuver sparked immediate concern among law enforcement, as it represented a deceptive tactic that could potentially set a dangerous precedent for other motorists.

Despite the initial difficulty in identifying the rider due to obscured facial features in the images, police were able to track the suspect down by Monday. The operation involved a coordinated effort between traffic departments and the Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) unit, which analyzed extensive CCTV footage and cross-referenced motorcycle characteristics to pinpoint the individual.

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Commissioner Rahman emphasized that while the goal of the DMP is to foster public awareness and voluntary compliance rather than punitive action, the department remains committed to enforcing strict legal consequences for those attempting to bypass modern infrastructure. He warned that as Dhaka moves toward a more automated and orderly traffic system, any attempts to circumvent security technology will be met with rigorous investigation.

The police official further highlighted that the DMP’s technical capabilities have significantly expanded, allowing them to utilize advanced forensic analysis to identify offenders. He reaffirmed the department’s dual mandate: to maintain a professional, courteous relationship with the public while ensuring that traffic regulations are upheld with absolute consistency.