Lucknow: The Lucknow Police Crime Branch has unearthed an organised fuel theft and adulteration racket, arresting four alleged members of the network and seizing more than 16,000 litres of petrol, diesel and industrial solvent during a targeted enforcement operation.
The action was carried out under “Operation Ethanol Shield,” launched after complaints of vehicle breakdowns initially raised concerns over ethanol-blended petrol. During the investigation, police found that many of the incidents were allegedly linked to fuel theft, adulteration and illegal sale rather than ethanol blending.
Acting on specific intelligence, a Crime Branch team led by Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Kiran Yadav conducted a raid near the Sanyasi Bagh flyover in Malihabad. Officers intercepted a fuel tanker and another vehicle after suspecting illegal fuel diversion.
According to police, the tanker had loaded petrol and diesel from the Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) terminal at Amausi and was en route to a fuel station on Vidhan Sabha Marg. Investigators allege that instead of proceeding directly to its destination, the tanker was stopped to siphon off fuel for illegal sale.
A joint inspection by police and Excise Department officials reportedly confirmed large-scale fuel adulteration and illegal storage. During the operation, authorities seized 7,750 litres of petrol, 4,000 litres of diesel, around 1,150 litres of adulterated petrol stored in plastic containers, and nearly 3,200 litres of solvent allegedly intended for mixing with fuel. Investigators also recovered plastic pipes, funnels, measuring equipment, dip rods and other tools believed to have been used in the operation.
The four arrested have been identified as Anil Kumar (36) of Malihabad, Abhishek Rajput (25) of Kakori, Dheeraj Singh (33) of Unnao, and Ramtirth (35) of Hardoi. Police alleged that the accused siphoned fuel from transport tankers, mixed it with solvent and sold the adulterated product through illegal channels for financial gain.
Officials said further investigations are underway to identify other individuals linked to the network, including tanker operators and buyers, and to determine the extent of the alleged fuel theft and black-marketing operation in and around Lucknow.
