Businessman fined for storing 18,000 litres of diesel in Sherpur

SHERPUR, Mar 27 (UNB): A mobile court fined a businessman for illegally storing around 18,000 litres of diesel inside a residential building in Sherpur town.
Led by Executive Magistrate Md Mahmudul Hasan, the drive was conducted at M/s Shimla Traders in Goalpatti area on Thursday night following a tip-off, officials said.
Its owner Tapas Nandi was fined Tk 10,000 after allegations of hoarding diesel. The court also ordered the removal of the stored diesel and kerosene to a safer location, and imposed a permanent ban on selling fuel oil from residential premises.
According to local sources, the businessman had long been selling diesel and kerosene to farmers and small traders. Although he held a licence for retail sales, a large storage tank with a capacity of about 27,000 litres had been set up beneath a residential building, where around 18,000 litres of diesel were kept.
The authorities said the business lacked required clearances from the government bodies concerned, including the Department of Environment. Further action would be taken after reviewing documents.
Additional Superintendent of Police Nasrin Akhter, Assistant Commissioner Selim Reza, and Officer-in-Charge of Sadar Police Station Sohel Rana were present, among others, during the drive.
Meanwhile, bdnews24.com adds, police seized about 6,000 litres of diesel that was allegedly "stockpiled" in Chattogram. Two people were arrested in an operation near the Madrasa Gate outside Butterfly Park in the port-city on Friday afternoon.
Patenga Police OC Mustafa Ahmed said after continuous surveillance since Thursday, a joint operation was conducted by the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI), the district administration, and the police.
During the operation, 30 drums filled with diesel were recovered and two people were arrested. The quantity of diesel seized could be close to 6,000 litres. A case was being prepared over the incident, he added.
Meanwhile, the district administration, in a media statement, said initial investigations had revealed an "unscrupulous group" was illegally removing fuel during the transfer of shipments from the sea-faring ships and oil depots, and stockpiled it to drive up prices before selling it to local vendors.