SHANGHAI, Oct. 21 (Xinhua) -- A joint investigation team has been launched in Shanghai to further probe whether a driver was entrapped in the controversial seizure of the city's "black cabs."

    The government of Pudong New Area District in Shanghai decided to set up the team on Tuesday, with participation of local lawmakers, political advisors, lawyers and reporters.

    The move came after a local driver named Sun Zhongjie cut off apiece of his little finger to prove his innocence last week when the 19-year-old man was seized allegedly conducting "illegal cab operation" by the urban management authorities in Pudong.

    Sun said he was set up by the urban management staff on the charge of operating an unlicensed cab, or "black cab", after he picked up a pedestrian who asked for a lift.

    There have been other drivers who claim that the watchdog, during a two-year crackdown that has generated millions of yuan in fines, used bounty hunters to manufacture false evidence.

    Pudong's urban management authorities, however, said Tuesday that its staff did not entrap Sun.