Ahmedabad: Four people, including two petrol pump operators and two Rajasthan-based tanker operators, have been booked by Ahmedabad unit of CID (Crime) for allegedly supplying and transporting 6,000 litres of diesel in violation of a Centre-imposed daily limit of 200 litres. The tanker owner and driver, who have been arrested, also used another vehicle’s number plate to evade loan recovery agents.The case was registered on Monday following an investigation into a case filed by CID (crime) which intercepted the tanker transporting diesel to an industrial unit in Dhamatvan in Ahmedabad’s Daskroi taluka in June.According to the complaint, tanker owner Jitendra Chaudhary and driver Bhagirath Jat had collected 3,000 litres of diesel from one fuel station and 3,020 litres from another in Kadi on June 24. Of the second consignment, 3,000 litres was loaded into the tanker and 20 litres into its utility tank.The diesel was allegedly being transported to a well in Dhamatvan. CID (crime) examined sales records, memos, bank transactions and statements of the persons involved. It found that the first fuel station had supplied 12,650 litres of diesel to the tanker between June 16 and June 24. The second had supplied 23,418 litres during the same period. A total of 36,068 litres was supplied between June 11, when the Centre’s notification came into force, and June 24.The notification issued by the ministry of petroleum and natural gas on June 11 restricted supply of motor spirit and high-speed diesel (HSD) from retail outlets. Under the order, a retail outlet could supply a maximum of 200 litres of HSD to a customer or vehicle in a day, subject to specified conditions. The order also prohibited resale of HSD purchased from retail outlets.CID (crime) alleged that the two petrol pump operators supplied diesel to the same tanker in quantities far exceeding the prescribed limit.The investigation also revealed an alleged attempt to conceal the tanker’s identity. After loading 6,000 litres of diesel, Chaudhary and Jat allegedly stopped the tanker on the way to Dhamatvan, removed its original registration plate and replaced it with another number plate belonging to another tanker.According to Chaudhary’s statement cited in the complaint, the plate was changed because loan instalments on the tanker were pending and the accused wanted to prevent finance company recovery agents from identifying and locating it. The original plate was allegedly hidden in bushes by the roadside.CID (crime) seized the tanker, 6,000 litres of diesel and related documents and samples, with the total value of the seized material estimated at Rs 27.9 lakh.The four accused have been charged with violating the Essential Commodities Act, the 2026 fuel-supply order and the Motor Vehicles Act.
