Scotch tape on motorcycle number plate to evade AI surveillance, finally caught

A person was driving on the roads of the capital by covering the number plate of his motorcycle with Scotch tape to evade the artificial intelligence (AI)-based traffic surveillance system. 

Later, he was identified and brought under the law by the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP). After being produced in court, he was sentenced to one month in prison and a fine of Tk 2,000.

DMP Additional Commissioner (Traffic) Anisur Rahman gave this information at a press conference at the DMP Media Center on Minto Road in the capital on Tuesday morning.

He said that on May 19, a motorcyclist covered the three digits of his license plate with white scotch tape and drove on various roads in the capital. Later, the picture spread on social media and was published in various media outlets. On May 21, the matter came to the attention of the DMP.

Anisur Rahman said that after the incident came to light, the police were concerned because if such a fraudulent tactic spreads, others may follow it. That is why an investigation was started with importance.

He said that it was not easy to identify the motorcyclist as his face was not clear in the picture. Later, CCTV footage from various areas of the capital was analysed with the help of the DMP's Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) unit. 

At the same time, an investigation was conducted by verifying the type of motorcycle and the license plate information. As a result, the person was identified and arrested last Monday.

The arrested person's name is Lablu Haque. He is a resident of the capital's Lalbagh area.

The traffic police officer also mentioned that the DMP's intention is not to punish anyone. He said the main goal is to make people aware and encourage everyone to obey the law voluntarily. However, strict action will be taken against anyone who breaks the law.