He Spent ₹14 Lakh for a Number Plate—On a Scooter Worth ₹1 Lakh!

We’ve all heard of people splurging on luxury cars, designer clothes, or limited-edition gadgets—but what would you say about someone who spends 14 times more on a vehicle’s number plate than on the vehicle itself?

Meet Sanjeev Kumar, whose fascination with fancy registration numbers led him to make headlines across the region. He recently purchased a brand-new scooter priced around ₹1 lakh. But what truly stunned everyone wasn’t the two-wheeler—it was the jaw-dropping ₹14 lakh he shelled out for its VIP number plate: HP21C-0001.

Bidding War for the Digits

This wasn’t a random purchase. The coveted number plate was part of an official online auction organized by the Transport Department, which allows citizens to bid for unique and exclusive registration numbers. In this particular round, only two participants joined the bidding. One of them, a resident from Solan district, placed a competitive bid of ₹13.5 lakh.

But Sanjeev wasn’t ready to let it go. He upped the ante and secured the number for ₹14 lakh—making it one of the costliest registration numbers ever allotted to a two-wheeler.

More Than Just a Number

When asked about the extravagant spend, Sanjeev Kumar shared, “There’s no price tag on passion. When you want something extraordinary, you don’t look at the cost.” He admitted he has a long-standing fascination with unique and standout number plates, and he wanted this one for his new scooter.

His son, Dinesh Kumar, added that the decision was driven purely by personal interest. “We applied for the number online. Another individual was also in the race, but we were allotted the number through the official bidding process,” he said.

The purchase has sparked widespread discussion—both online and offline. While many were surprised by the extravagant move, others viewed it as a sign of changing lifestyles and growing acceptance of digital platforms. On social media, reactions ranged from admiration to disbelief, with some calling it a bold personal choice and others questioning the priorities behind such spending.

Interestingly, the ₹14 lakh Sanjeev paid has gone straight into the government’s revenue pool—at zero extra cost to the administration. Officials from the Transport Department believe this may be the highest amount ever paid for a two-wheeler registration number in the state’s history.

Not the First, Not the Last

Sanjeev’s story isn’t the only one turning heads over VIP numbers. Back in April, a similar case emerged from Kochi, where a software company bought the highly sought-after number ‘0007’ for a stunning ₹46 lakh in an e-auction. The number was then assigned to their luxury Lamborghini Urus, a vehicle valued at over ₹4 crore. The car now proudly carries the number KL07 DG 0007.

More Than Just a Status Symbol?

To some, these purchases may seem excessive. But to many others, they reflect a growing trend where identity, uniqueness, and status are all intertwined. Much like luxury watches or bespoke homes, special vehicle numbers are becoming modern symbols of personal branding.

And for Sanjeev Kumar, ₹14 lakh wasn’t spent on a number—it was invested in a passion, a statement, and a story that the whole region is now talking about.