As Delhi-NCR struggles with severe air pollution, residents are left gasping under a blanket of toxic smog. While the Delhi government enforces strict measures like halting construction activities to curb pollution, vehicular emissions remain a significant yet unchecked contributor to the crisis. India Today’s Special Investigation Team uncovered a shocking loophole: fake pollution under control (PUC) certificates are being issued without any vehicle inspections, exacerbating the city’s pollution woes. The investigation began at Noida’s Sector 20 police station, where the team identified an impounded vehicle unused for over 18 months. Testing PUC centers across Delhi, Noida, and Ghaziabad revealed alarming practices. At Noida’s Sector 95, Narendra, a staff member, issued a fake PUC certificate for ₹200 without checking the vehicle, even sourcing documents from Haryana to evade scrutiny. In Delhi’s Kapashera, Sandeep issued a certificate for ₹150 after minor persuasion, charging extra for a photo submission. Ghaziabad’s Lal Kuan center staff offered online verification to assure authenticity of fake certificates. This illegal trade undermines Delhi’s anti-pollution efforts, making the fight against hazardous air even harder. Robust enforcement and systemic overhauls are urgently needed to plug this dangerous gap. India Today’s Arvind Ojha brings in his ground report from New Delhi.