James Bond-Style Number Plate Gadget Found In Hyderabad Doctor’s BMW After Drunk Driving Stop

A late-night drunk driving check in Hyderabad's upscale Jubilee Hills took a dramatic turn when police allegedly uncovered a luxury BMW fitted with a remote-controlled number plate flipping system, reminiscent of the iconic gadget seen in James Bond films.

The accused, identified as Goutham Reddy, a qualified doctor who is not currently practising, was intercepted during routine enforcement and is now facing multiple charges after officials say he tried to outsmart traffic surveillance with a highly unusual setup.

Remote-Controlled Number Plate Stuns Hyderabad Police

Police said the incident took place during a routine checking drive on Friday night/Saturday night in Jubilee Hills, where officers stopped the BMW being driven by the 30-year-old accused. What initially appeared to be a standard drunk driving case soon escalated into something far more unusual.

According to investigators, while police were preparing to conduct a breath-analyser test, a remote-operated mechanism inside the car was discovered that could instantly switch the vehicle's registration plates. In one version, the BMW displayed a Delhi registration number 'DL6CM7097', while another number plate showed a Telangana registration 'TS9FQ9999'.

Officials said the button-operated flip plate system allowed the driver to swap number plates within seconds, allegedly to mislead traffic cameras, avoid e-challans and escape digital enforcement.

The bizarre setup immediately drew comparisons with the famous rotating number plate gadget used in James Bond's Aston Martin DB5, a feature seen in films such as Thunderball, GoldenEye, Tomorrow Never Dies, Casino Royale, Skyfall, Spectre, and No Time To Die.

Police Say Two BMWs And A Deliberate Plan Were Involved

During the investigation, police found that the Delhi-registered BMW had reportedly been purchased by the accused around five years ago. However, instead of re-registering the car after bringing it to Hyderabad, he allegedly continued using it with a manipulated identity.

Further inquiry revealed that the Telangana registration number displayed on the luxury car did not belong to that BMW at all. Police said the TS number was linked to another vehicle connected to the accused's family, specifically a similar BMW registered in the name of his uncle.

This discovery strengthened the suspicion that the setup was not accidental but a planned attempt to conceal the car's actual identity from surveillance systems and enforcement authorities.

According to police, the case surfaced in a surprising way when a constable reportedly pressed the wrong button inside the vehicle, unintentionally triggering the mechanism that exposed the number plate-flipping arrangement.

The Telangana number plate was later traced back to another vehicle linked to the accused, which officials say points to a calculated effort to deceive law enforcement.

Drunk Driving Test Revealed Alcohol Level Far Above Legal Limit

Apart from the suspicious number plate mechanism, the accused also allegedly failed the drunk driving check by a wide margin.

Police said Goutham Reddy's blood alcohol level was recorded at 137 mg, significantly higher than the legally permissible limit of 30 mg/100 ml.

Officials said the BMW driver was stopped specifically as part of a drunk driving enforcement drive in Jubilee Hills, and what began as a standard breath-analyser case quickly turned into a more serious criminal investigation because of the concealed number plate technology.

The combination of alleged drunk driving and the sophisticated plate-switching system has made the case particularly notable for Hyderabad police.

Rare But Serious Attempt To Mislead Digital Enforcement

Police officials said the use of fake or manipulated number plates is not unheard of, but a remote-controlled flip plate mechanism of this kind is highly unusual and suggests a more advanced attempt to defeat traffic monitoring systems.

"Avoiding fake number plates isn't new, but this kind of advanced setup is rare. It appears to be a calculated attempt to dodge penalties and mislead digital surveillance," said N Ravinder, inspector (traffic), Jubilee Hills Police Station.

Investigators suspect the modification may have been installed at a private car decor unit, and efforts are now underway to identify the workshop or individuals who may have helped fit the illegal mechanism. Police said legal action may also be taken against those involved in designing or installing such a system.

The accused has been booked under provisions related to cheating and impersonation, along with sections of the Motor Vehicles Act for drunk driving and other violations.

Police have also seized the BMW for further examination and forensic inspection to determine how the mechanism was installed and whether similar modifications may have been made to other vehicles.

The case has triggered interest not just because of the drunk driving charge, but because of the unusual gadget-like number plate system that transformed an ordinary traffic stop into what many are calling a real-life James Bond-style bust on Hyderabad's roads.