Farmer booked for ‘diesel black marketing’ in Pilibhit

Pilibhit: A case has been registered against a farmer for allegedly procuring diesel by unfair means and selling it illegally at higher prices, police said.The accused, Lalit Verma of Andarayan village, had set up a godown in Nagaria Colony under Amaria police station limits for the trade.The FIR was lodged late Saturday night after a joint team of revenue, police and supply department officials raided the godown and seized diesel stock allegedly procured at lower rates from commercial vehicles transporting sand and mud.District supply inspector Mohammad Anas, in his complaint, said the team had to break open the godown locks in the presence of local witnesses as the owner had fled. A total of 232 litres of diesel stored in a plastic drum, canister and bucket was recovered and seized.Locals told officials that Verma sold diesel at higher prices to meet the emergency needs of marginal farmers.Anas said the seized stock was kept in the custody of a nearby petrol pump. He added that approval of district magistrate Gyanendra Singh was taken before registering the FIR.SHO Amaria Amit Singh said the accused has been charged under Sections 3 and 7 of the Essential Commodities Act.