Factory making fake diesel from chemicals smuggled via Gujarat's Kandla Port busted

Time of India

6 hours ago

Jaipur: Bikaner police Saturday unearthed a large-scale interstate operation involving the transportation and mixing of industrial chemicals with diesel, using bogus companies and forged documents to avoid detection.
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The smuggling network, which operated from Kandla port in Gujarat, diverted tankers to a hidden factory running behind a hotel in Bikaner's Pallu area. Police officials said that the network was involved in transporting at least 25 tankers of fake diesel, each containing 35,000 litres, and pushing it into the market. Three men were arrested, including a resident of the Rainwal area in Jaipur district.
Bikaner range IG Om Prakash said the accused were using fake firms like Nav Nath Chemical and Oil to prepare transport documents.
Though the bills of supply falsely listed Hisar as the destination, the chemical-laden tankers were instead rerouted to the illicit facility concealed behind Mahadeo Hotel, which served as a front for a factory where chemicals were mixed with diesel to prepare diluted and illegal fuel.
Police raided the location and seized 4 lakh litres of the adulterated fuel, along with one chemical tanker, pick-up vehicles, and a cash amount of Rs 3.55 lakh.
The operation was found to be highly organised, with forged documents pointing to widespread distribution of the fake fuel across multiple states.
The accused include tanker driver Banwari Lal, a resident of Rainwal in Jaipur, factory owner Netram, 26, from Rajiasar in Sriganganagar, and Pradeep, 43, from Hanumangarh. Investigators believe the gang was operating on a massive scale, transporting at least 25 tankers every month, each carrying around 35,000 litres of chemicals.
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This points to a monthly smuggling volume of nearly 8.75 lakh litres of chemical used for fuel adulteration.
Police suspect the racket could be linked to a recent major fire at a house in Sawalsar village, Rajiasar area. The fire was reportedly caused by an inflammable substance, and the connection to the smuggling ring is now under investigation.
The IG warned that such fake and diluted diesel is being circulated widely and poses serious risks. He urged the public to purchase fuel only from authorised dealers and pumps to avoid potential hazards.