LUCKNOW: The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Uttar Pradesh Police on Sunday arrested two wholesale traders accused of embezzling and black-marketing government-supplied kerosene oil allocated under a drought relief scheme in Jalaun district during 2007-08.The arrests were made as part of a special drive launched on the directions of the Director General of Police, Economic Offences Wing, Uttar Pradesh.According to officials, the accused, identified as Ravindra Kumar Gupta and Rakesh Kumar, were arrested by an EOW team from Kalpi town in Jalaun district.Both had been wanted in three criminal cases registered in connection with the alleged diversion and misappropriation of government kerosene supplied under a drought relief programme nearly two decades ago.Kerosene meant for drought relief allegedly divertedInvestigators said the Uttar Pradesh government had allocated 30,650 litres of kerosene oil, valued at approximately Rs 3.06 lakh, during January 2007 and January-February 2008 under the drought relief scheme. The fuel was meant to be distributed among residents of drought-affected areas in the Mahewa, Kadaura and Kalpi tehsils of Jalaun district through licensed fair-price shop dealers.However, the investigation revealed that the kerosene never reached the designated retail dealers for public distribution. Instead, the EOW alleged that the wholesale distributors entrusted with the supply, along with their associates, diverted the stock and sold it illegally on the black market, causing financial losses to the government and depriving eligible beneficiaries of relief supplies.Details of the casesThe investigation led to the registration of three criminal cases involving charges of criminal breach of trust, cheating, forgery, use of forged documents, criminal conspiracy, and violations of the Essential Commodities Act.Eight accused found prima facie guiltyEOW officials said the investigation found eight people prima facie involved in the alleged kerosene diversion and embezzlement racket.With the arrest of Ravindra Kumar Gupta and Rakesh Kumar, two of the accused have now been taken into custody.The EOW said efforts are continuing to trace and arrest the remaining six wanted accused. Further legal proceedings are under way in the case.
