- By Deeksha Gour
- Wed, 03 Dec 2025 05:16 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
The Haryana government has directed a detailed inquiry into the assets and income of Sudhir Kumar, the highest bidder for the VIP registration number HR88B8888, after he failed to pay the winning amount of Rs 1.17 crore. This plate recently became India’s costliest number plate during an online auction.
Transport Minister Anil Vij instructed the Transport Department to verify whether Kumar, Director of Romulus Solutions Private Limited, has the financial means to place such a bid. He said that bidders must act responsibly and not raise bid amounts without the capacity to pay.
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Minister Seeks Income Tax Review
Speaking to the media, Vij explained that the VIP number plate auctions attract several participants and in this case, Kumar placed the highest bid. Instead of completing the payment, he allowed the security deposit of Rs 11,000 to be forfeited. Vij said he would request the Income Tax Department to look into the bidder’s finances to prevent similar attempts that artificially inflate auction prices.
“The act of bidding is a responsibility, not a pastime,” he added. The number plate will now be offered again in a fresh auction.
Costliest Plate That Made Headlines
On November 26, HR88B8888 became the most expensive vehicle registration number in the country after receiving a record bid of Rs 1.17 crore. The plate had a base price of Rs 50,000 and drew 45 applicants. The winner was required to pay the full amount by December 1, but the deadline passed without payment.
Kumar later claimed he made two attempts to deposit the amount but faced technical issues. He also said his family was unsure about spending such a large sum on a fancy number. Discussions were ongoing and he planned to give a final response by Monday.
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How Haryana Auctions VIP Registration Numbers
Haryana conducts weekly online auctions for VIP number plates on the official fancy.parivahan.gov.in portal. Applications open every Friday evening and remain active until Monday morning. Final results are announced on Wednesday.
What Makes HR88B8888 Distinct
The number plate stands out because of its visual pattern. With ‘B’ resembling the digit ‘8’ in uppercase, the combination appears as a series of repeated eights, increasing its appeal among buyers seeking premium or symbolic numbers.