Tanker driver, cleaner arrested with diesel worth Rs 1.45 lakh

Two persons were caught when they were trying to flee with a diesel tanker without fully emptying it by the flying squad of the Mumbai rationing department on Monday.

Two persons were caught when they were trying to flee with a diesel tanker without fully emptying it by the flying squad of the Mumbai rationing department on Monday. Ramnaresh Verma and Sanjaykumar Verma were caught with diesel worth Rs1.45 lakh near Cadbury Junction following a tip-off.

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Ramnaresh, the driver, and Sanjaykumar, the cleaner, had driven the diesel tanker from Vashi terminal to Cybertech company at Wagle Estate in Thane (West) on Monday night. The tanker had 12,000 litres diesel of the Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL).

“The duo had emptied only 8,000 litres diesel and were fleeing with 3,121 litres, which is worth nearly Rs1.45 lakh. They said they worked for GB Transport. Normally, companies and hotels contact HPCL (or another petroleum company) for diesel to run generators during load-shedding hours,” said Satyanarayan Bajaj, deputy rationing officer.

He added, “HPCL hires transporters and they provide tankers for the same. Companies do not have enough staff to check whether they get the full quantity. The transporters then sell the remaining diesel in the black market.”

The accused have been booked under the Essential Commodities Act and handed over to the Wagle Estate police. Officials said they would be probing if anyone from the company was involved.