A mobile court seized nearly 6,000 litres of illegally stored diesel from two factories in the BSCIC Industrial Estate in Bhola during a joint operation conducted between 9:00 pm and midnight on Tuesday. Two companies were fined a total of Tk 150,000.
According to officials, 3,974 litres of diesel were recovered from Khan Flour Mill (JK Traders) and 2,000 litres from Trishna Bakery. The room at Khan Flour Mill where the fuel had been stored illegally was sealed.
Executive Magistrate Sayeed Ahmed Bulbul, who led the operation, said:
“Acting on confidential information, we conducted raids at two factories and seized the diesel. Legal action has been taken as the owners failed to provide valid documents for storing the fuel.”
Authorities said the fuel had been stored in water tanks and drums in an apparent attempt to create an artificial fuel shortage.
The mobile court fined:
- Jamal Khan, owner of Khan Flour Mill – Tk 100,000 (or one month’s imprisonment in default)
- Md. Jewel, owner of Trishna Bakery – Tk 50,000 (or seven days’ imprisonment in default)
The court also ordered that the seized diesel be sold and the proceeds deposited into the government treasury.
During the operation, workers and the owner of Khan Flour Mill became agitated and blocked the road by placing bricks and sandbags in front of official vehicles. The situation was later brought under control after navy personnel arrived at the scene.
Meanwhile, journalist Utpal Debnath filed a general diary with Bhola Sadar Model Police Station, alleging that he received death threats during the operation. He said:
“I was threatened in front of other journalists during the operation. I now feel unsafe.”
However, factory owner Jamal Khan denied the allegations and claimed the fuel was collected legally. He said:
“My factory operates trucks, trawlers, and generators. Due to the ongoing fuel shortage, I applied to the district administration for fuel and collected it following instructions. I did not store any illegal fuel.”
Local journalists have expressed serious concern over the threats and demanded immediate legal action against those responsible.
Officials noted that amid the ongoing fuel shortage, petrol pumps in Bhola receive only 4,000 to 4,500 litres per week, making the seized amount significantly higher than a typical station’s supply.
