Diesel pilferage racket busted in Palghar, 9 booked; petroleum goods worth Rs 17 lakh seized

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Officials in Palghar have busted a diesel pilferage scam in a major operation that resulted in the filing of a complaint against nine people. Following the operation, petroleum goods valued at Rs 16.95 lakh, an oil tanker valued at Rs 21 lakh, a tempo valued at Rs 6 lakh, and equipment used for pilfering were all seized, totalling Rs 45.13 lakh, stated a report in PTI.

According to the report, the issue was discovered on January 11 after a flying squad from the supply department carried out a raid at approximately five in the morning. The operation uncovered a planned attempt to steal diesel from oil tankers that were parked behind a hotel in Palghar's Chilhar Phata. Illegally, diesel was being moved from the tankers into drums that were loaded on tempos to be sold later.

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Following an inquiry, it was found that the tanker's seal had been tampered with, leading authorities to report the incident to the police. The Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections 285 (negligent conduct concerning fire or combustible stuff) and 34 (common intention) were invoked in the registration of the case at the Manor police station. Additionally, charges were filed under various orders and acts, including the Motor Spirit and High-Speed Diesel (Regulation of Supply and Distribution and Prevention of Malpractices) Order, Essential Commodities Act, Maharashtra Solvent Raffinate and Slop (Licencing) Order, and Petroleum Products (Maintenance of Production Storage and Supply) Order, the PTI report added.

The owners and drivers of the tempo and oil tanker, the proprietor of the transport business, and the owner of the site where the illegal actions occurred are all implicated in this case.

In another incident from Thane district, police have nabbed a moneylender accused of abetting the suicide of a 61-year-old man. The incident happened in Kalher, Bhiwandi taluka, last month. The victim, Ashok Shankar Patil, said that Yashwant Gaikwad harassed him about repaying the loan after he had borrowed money from him, stated a report in PTI.

According to the report, Patil was threatened and under pressure from Yashwant Gaikwad to return the borrowed money. On December 7, 2023, in Kalher, Patil took a deadly chemical as a result of the ongoing persecution, which killed him.

In response, a case has been launched against Gaikwad under Indian Penal Code (IPC) section 306 for abetment of suicide, resulting in his arrest. At present, the case is being investigated.