CBI raids six petrol pumps
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Wednesday raided six petrol pumps in Navi Mumbai and Silvassa following complaints of petrol and diesel adulteration.
The anti-corruption branch (ACB) of the CBI in Mumbai had, in the last few months, received numerous complaints about these petrol pumps mixing naphtha in petrol and kerosene in diesel.
The CBI initially kept a watch at various spots on Kalyan-Bhiwandi Road, Dahisar and Silvassa, but could not find anything. It then decided to raid the petrol pumps.
Representatives of the petroleum companies were present during the raids.
The raids were conducted at Indian Oil petrol pumps in Sector 17 of Palm Beach Road and Sector 12 of Koparkhairane at Navi Mumbai.
Four petrol pumps in Silvassa, including a Hindustan Petroleum pump, a Bharat Petroleum station, and two Indian Oil petrol pumps, were also raided.
The officials took samples of petrol and diesel from every tank at these pumps. Officials said these petrol pumps had five to sic tanks each and four samples were taken from each tank.
“These samples will be sent to a forensic lab for testing,” said Praveen Salunke, deputy inspector general of police, ACB CBI. Officials said once the result confirms adulteration, cases will be registered against the petrol pump owners and petroleum company officials who are found to be involved.
The CBI will register cases under the Essential Commodities Act and Prevention of Corruption Act.
The CBI had on May 12 busted a similar adulteration racket in Delhi by conducting raids at three places. The agency found petroleum products stored illegally in various underground tanks. These products were then adulterated.