PMO asks Jalandhar police to submit report in oil theft case

Rachna Khaira

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, September 12

Taking cognisance of the alleged lapses by the Jalandhar police while investigating an oil theft case reported from the Guru Gobind Singh Avenue in May, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) today sought a report from the city police.

The PMO intervened after a local activist, Rakesh Goel, wrote to it stating that despite a major non-bailable offence under the Explosive Act and the Essential Commodity Act (ECA), the police did not add such provisions to the FIR. Accused Sarwan Singh was later granted bail by the court.

The PMO further sent the complaint to the Punjab Government which was later forwarded to the Jalandhar police to submit a final report.

The city police had raided the premises of an oil transport company, Lucky Oil Carrier, and seized a large quantity of diesel, which was allegedly stored illegally in an underground oil tank having a capacity of 10,000 litres in a vacant plot at Hardeep Nagar in May.

Though the prescribed limit of the storage tank or receptacle for storing a class B fuel, including diesel, should not exceed 1,000 litres, the owner had installed an oil tank having a capacity of 10,000 litres, which is mainly used by filling stations for the commercial use.

He had also installed the fuel ejection machine without taking any permission or following the norms under the Petroleum Act, 1934.

After getting the information, Nirmal Singh, accompanied by District Food and Supplies Officer (DFSC) Neelkanth Sharma and other police officials, raided the premises and seized around 4,500 litres of diesel from the tank. The police had also impounded 22 trucks filled with diesel parked inside the plot.

Despite the fact that no person can store diesel or petrol without a licence, the stolen diesel was kept underground in a thickly populated locality which could have proved to be dangerous for the life and property of area residents. 

Since the oil is considered a government property before it is sold to customers, accused Sarwan Kumar was liable to be prosecuted under the Explosive Act and also for stealing the government property. However, no such offence was added to the FIR. 

While speaking to The Tribune, complainant Goel suspected the alleged role of Indian Oil officials. 

“It is strange that despite recovering over 4,000 litres of oil from an unlicensed location and also 22 trucks filled with oil on an unauthorised route, the IOC did not file a formal complaint with the police,” added Goel. 

He demanded strict action against police officials and the erring officials of the Indian Oil. 

ADCP City II Kulwant Singh confirmed to have received a portal complaint forwarded by the Punjab Government and said he would soon begin investigations into the case.