EPA invoked against diesel adulterators

The police are likely to book some diesel adulterators under the Environment Protection Act (EPA), for allegedly polluting the Mithi River.

The police are likely to book some diesel adulterators under the Environment Protection Act (EPA), for allegedly polluting the Mithi River.

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After the raids on godowns set up by the oil mafia in Shastri Nagar at Kurla — on the banks of the Mithi — in January crime branch officers inspected the area and found that hazardous residues from these godowns were being dumped into the Mithi.

“Analysis of the samples of the residues dumped by these units into the river shows that they are hazardous. We will be invoking the EPA against the accused,” joint commissioner of police (crime) Himanshu Roy told the Hindustan Times.

The crime branch sealed the premises and wrote to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation and the Pollution Control Board asking them to initiate action against these polluting units.

The police had earlier booked the adulterators under the Indian Penal Code for cheating and under the Essential Services and Maintenance Act and Oil Supplies Processing Order of 1983.

Under the EPA, the accused face five years of rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs5 lakh if proven guilty. Roy said the police are also exploring possibilities of booking the adulterators under the Maharashtra Prevention of Dangerous Activities Act.