The Haryana Transport Department has cancelled the record-breaking bid of ₹1.17 crore for the VIP vehicle number plate HR88B8888 after the winning bidder failed to complete the payment within the given deadline. The number had recently made national headlines for becoming India’s most expensive registration number, attracting massive attention across the country. However, the bid was declared invalid when Sudhir Kumar, the highest bidder from Hisar, did not deposit the required amount by December 1.
According to officials, the bid was cancelled due to non-payment, and the security deposit of ₹10,000 along with the ₹1,000 participation fee has been forfeited as per auction rules. Kumar later claimed that he faced strong opposition from his family, who were against spending more than ₹1 crore on a number plate. He also alleged that technical glitches during online payment further prevented him from completing the transaction.
The VIP number HR88B8888 had drawn interest from 45 bidders due to its highly attractive visual pattern. The series ‘B’ closely resembles the number ‘8’, making the plate appear as a continuous string of eights—considered extremely lucky and prestigious by many buyers. This unique combination made it one of the most sought-after numbers in the auction conducted by the Haryana Registering and Licensing Authority.
With the cancellation now official, the Haryana government has announced that the number plate will be put up for a fresh auction soon. The department is expected to release the new dates shortly. It remains to be seen whether the re-auction will generate the same excitement or match the record price achieved in the first round.