Diesel theft gang busted in Bhojpur, two arrested

Ara: Bhojpur police on Wednesday busted an interstate fuel theft gang siphoning diesel from an Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) pipeline and arrested two accused, including one from Uttar Pradesh.Police also seized 2,000 litres of stolen diesel worth around Rs1.80 lakh from their possession.Acting on a tip-off, the police apprehended Sunil Kumar, a resident of Chhibramau in Kannauj district of Uttar Pradesh, and Chandrama Ram, a resident of Amehata village under Agiaon Bazar police station area in Bhojpur district. They were allegedly pumping out diesel from the pipeline at Nawadaben village under Gajrajganj OP in Bhojpur district.“The police also seized 2,000 litres of stolen diesel stored in a pickup truck, which has been confiscated,” said Chanchal Mahtha, SHO of Gajrajganj OP.Explaining the modus operandi, the SHO said the gang would dig tunnels in remote areas where the IOCL pipeline passes and then drill into the line to siphon diesel using specialised plumbing equipment.“As IOCL has a fuel pressure monitoring system for its pipelines, officials detected a drop in pressure and alerted Bhojpur police, suspecting theft. This led to the arrest of the accused,” he said.Police are now searching for the kingpin of the interstate racket, suspected to be operating from the Gajrajganj OP area.“The arrested accused have revealed names of other gang members, including the kingpin. Raids are underway to nab them,” a police officer said.According to the SHO, it is yet to be ascertained where the stolen fuel was being sold. Further investigation is in progress.