India, April 29 -- The transport department has launched a probe into Rohingya Bangladeshis running auto-rickshaws in Mira Road with permits, based on a complaint by Mira-Bhayandar MLA Narendra Mehta in March.

People aware of the development said officials of the transport department are in touch with the police, tehsildars and local collector's offices to verify the documents of around 30 people. Based on this, RTOs are contemplating making physical examination of drivers' licence mandatory at the offices. The checks are currently done online.

"It is suspected that some rickshaw drivers had obtained permits illegally by submitting fraudulent documents. We have received around 30 allegations of certain Bangladeshi and Rohingya nationals...