Karnataka Police Official Website
Open Karnataka State Police official website
How to Check Stolen Vehicle Status Online in Karnataka
Open the official Karnataka State Police website, which provides access to citizen services and police information.
Select the Citizen Centric Portal from the citizen services available on the Karnataka Police website.
Look for the Stolen Vehicles option under the citizen information or informational services section.
Depending on the current interface, the search may ask for information such as category, start date, end date, district and police station.
After entering the required details, run the search to view matching information made available in the Karnataka Police database.
If a vehicle appears in stolen-vehicle records, do not proceed with purchase or transfer until its status has been verified with the police and transport authorities.
Check a Used Vehicle Before Buying
A prospective purchaser should independently verify the following before completing a second-hand vehicle transaction:
- Registration number
- Chassis number
- Engine number
- Registration Certificate (RC)
- Registered owner's details
- Vehicle make and model
- Insurance details
- Pending hypothecation or finance
- Vehicle tax and registration status
- Pending traffic challans
- Any police or legal issue associated with the vehicle
Verify Vehicle Details Through Official Transport Services
The Government of India's Parivahan and mParivahan services provide vehicle-related information. The exact details shown depend on the records and services made available by the transport authorities.
What to Do if a Vehicle Appears as Stolen
- Do not attempt to recover the vehicle yourself.
- Note the information displayed by the police portal.
- Contact the concerned police station.
- Provide the vehicle registration number and other identifying details.
- If you are the owner, keep the FIR or complaint details and vehicle documents available.
- Follow the instructions of the investigating police officer.
If you are considering purchasing a used vehicle and it appears in a stolen-vehicle search, do not take possession of or pay for the vehicle until its legal status has been verified.
What if the Vehicle Search Shows No Result?
A search producing no result should not be treated as an absolute guarantee that a vehicle has never been stolen or involved in a police case. Police and transport databases can have different purposes, records and update schedules.
If there is any doubt regarding the vehicle, contact the concerned police station or transport authority.
Law Relating to Theft of a Vehicle
The current substantive criminal law is the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, which came into force on 1 July 2024.
Section 303 BNS defines theft. A motor vehicle is movable property and can therefore be the subject of theft. Section 305 BNS addresses theft in certain specified circumstances, including theft of a means of transport used for goods or passengers.
The exact offence and applicable provision depend on the facts of the case.
Criminal Procedure for Reporting a Stolen Vehicle
The applicable criminal procedure is governed by the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, which came into force on 1 July 2024.
Information concerning a cognizable offence can be given to police in accordance with Section 173 BNSS, including by electronic communication subject to the procedure prescribed by law.
Lost Vehicle or Other Lost Articles
Karnataka Police provides an e-Lost Reports service for lost articles and documents. A lost-item report and an FIR for a cognizable offence are different procedures, so use the service appropriate to the circumstances.
Cybercrime or Online Vehicle Fraud
If a vehicle transaction involves online fraud, payment fraud, identity theft or another cyber offence, the incident can also be reported through the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal.
Open National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal
For financial cyber fraud, the 1930 helpline should be contacted promptly.
Important Points for Used Vehicle Buyers
- Check the vehicle through Karnataka Police's available stolen-vehicle information service.
- Verify the registration number with official transport records.
- Match chassis and engine numbers with the vehicle documents.
- Verify the original Registration Certificate.
- Check whether the vehicle has outstanding finance or hypothecation.
- Check applicable traffic challans.
- Verify the identity of the seller.
- Avoid transactions where the seller refuses official verification.
- Do not purchase a vehicle shown in stolen-vehicle records until its status is cleared by competent authorities.
- Keep a written sale agreement and payment records.
Karnataka Stolen Vehicle Search - Quick Guide
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Open the official Karnataka Police website |
| 2 | Open the Citizen Centric Portal |
| 3 | Select the stolen-vehicle information service |
| 4 | Enter the requested search criteria |
| 5 | Select district and police station where required |
| 6 | Enter the applicable date range |
| 7 | Click Search |
| 8 | Review the available vehicle information |
| 9 | Verify the vehicle through official transport records before purchase |