CBI to probe pilferage of petro products

Legal Correspondent

Shimla, May 20

The High Court yesterday directed the CBI to probe the pilferage of petroleum products by officials of HPCL and submit its report within four weeks.

A Division Bench comprising acting Chief Justice Sanjay Karol and Justice Ajay Mohan Goel observed, “It is the enormity of the alleged pilferage of the petroleum products that has prompted us to pass the order. After all, petroleum is a national asset and the HPCL is a trustee and its custodian.”

The court passed the order on a bunch of petitions filed by private petroleum dealers against the show-cause notice issued by the HPCL as to why action for blacklisting be not taken against them for allegedly causing loss to the company.

During the course of hearing, the HPCL alleged that their staff in connivance with the petitioners (dealers) caused loss worth several crores to the corporation.

The court directed the CBI to file its report before the court within four weeks and listed the matter for further hearing on June 20.