Rajkot: Amid swirling rumors of petrol and diesel shortages, the Special Operations Group (SOG) of Devbhumi Dwarka police has cracked down on a diesel black-marketing operation. Authorities seized a mini truck containing 1,000 litres of diesel and arrested one individual.
Sophisticated Modus Operandi
According to police, the racket employed a sophisticated method. The perpetrators procured large quantities of diesel from authorized pumps using fishing boat tokens approved by the fisheries department. They then illegally sold the fuel on the black market, capitalizing on shortage rumors.
Tip-Off Leads to Interception
Acting on a tip-off received during patrolling near Jam Khambhalia government hospital, an SOG team kept watch on the Khambhalia-Salaya road, ahead of Haripar village, opposite the District Sports Complex. The team successfully intercepted the suspect's vehicle.
Upon inspecting the vehicle's rear, police found four barrels and two small carboys containing a total of 1,000 litres of diesel. The driver was identified as Bhikhu Pindariya, 28, a farmer from Laluka in Khambhalia taluka. Pindariya could not produce valid bills or documentation for the fuel he was transporting.
Accused Claims Agricultural Use
The accused stated that he had purchased the diesel from one Harun Adam Jasraya, a resident of Salaya. Pindariya claimed he bought the fuel for agricultural use in tractors and earth movers, citing the difficulty of procuring diesel elsewhere due to the current scarcity.
The accused and seized items have been handed over to Jam Khambhalia police for further investigation into the broader racket.
Subsidized Diesel for Fishermen
Fishermen receive subsidized diesel through designated pumps managed by the Gujarat Fisheries Central Co-operative Association and local fisherman co-operative societies. They obtain diesel for fishing boats after generating an online token, a system that was allegedly exploited in this case.
