India, Sept. 19 -- For motorists hunting for parking space in South Mumbai, the ordeal doesn't end when they find a spot. Police have registered at least 20 cases in the last six months against unauthorised parking agents, accused of cheating and intimidating motorists.

While the crackdown exposes the extent of the racket - and this is just the tip of the iceberg - car owners can breathe a little easier knowing these illegal parking operators are on the police radar.

The 20 cases registered in the last few months span six police stations, with 40 persons who are part of the parking mafia being arrested for operating illegal parking lots in Crawford Market, Kalbadevi, Fort, Kalaghoda and Colaba.

Satyam Surana, a lawyer who has an office...