A mobile court in Nilphamari’s Saidpur sentenced seven members of a syndicate involved in an illegal fuel trading network. A large quantity of fuel was seized, and the convicted individuals received varying fines and prison terms.
The operation took place around 11:30pm on Friday at M/S Rokeya LPG Filling Station, located on Motir Mor Bypass Road. The raid was led by Md Sabbir Hossain, assistant commissioner (land) of Saidpur, with support from Saidpur police.
Sabbir Hossain said the seized fuel is being measured at a nearby petrol pump, and further legal action will follow after verification. He reaffirmed the administration’s strict stance against illegal storage, transport, and marketing of fuel, adding that drives will continue to curb such irregularities.
Acting on secret information, the administration had placed the filling station under surveillance. A microbus and a covered van were seized from a suspicious location adjacent to the station. Though appearing ordinary from the outside, the vehicles had been specially modified for the illegal transport and transfer of fuel.
Authorities discovered a mini pump installed inside the covered van, providing clear evidence of octane and petrol transfer. Various fuel supply equipment and numerous plastic jars were also recovered from the microbus. Officials believe these arrangements were used for long-term secret storage and supply of fuel.
According to the mobile court, Md Rafiqul Islam, 26, of Puratan Babupara, was fined Tk2 lakh, with a default sentence of six months’ simple imprisonment.
The six others — Md Seraj, 25, Moinuddin, 48, Jahangir, 35, Sagar, 35, Ms Sheikh, 24, and Siraj, 28 — were fined Tk1,000 each, or three days in jail in default.
One detainee, an SSC examinee, was cautioned and released on humanitarian grounds.
