The CBI continued its searches against the mafia indulging in the sale of adulterated petroleum products in Delhi for the third consecutive day on Friday and registered cases against three Meerut-based persons in this connection.
Sources in the agency revealed that searches were conducted in Meerut and cases were registered against three persons on Friday. All of them were directors of the firm which was supplying products for adulteration in petroleum products to different petrol pumps in the capital. CBI has recovered materials, which were used for adulteration, in huge quantity.
“Involvement of government officials in this racket can not be ruled out. A thorough investigation will be carried out to ascertain how the accused persons got the supply of these materials. Meerut is becoming the hub of the supply of products which is used for adulteration purposes,” sources revealed. The number of petrol pump owners indulging in the racket in the capital could be more than what has come to light so far, sources said, adding that the searches would continue for another few days. Investigating officials are interrogating the accused persons to unearth the entire racket and nab the persons involved in the illegal trade, sources added.
The CBI had on Thursday registered cases against three petrol pump owners in the city for unauthorisedly storing petroleum products at their respective pumps for purposes of adulteration.
The agency officials conducted surprise checks at various petrol pumps in the city following a complaint of large scale adulteration in petroleum products.
Three pumps — located in Geeta colony, village Tikri Kalan (Nangloi) and Vishwakarma colony (Prahladpur) — were found to be storing several petroleum products in storage tanks, including underground tanks. Some of the other recovered materials during the checks were plastic drums and pipes, chemicals such as bleaching powder and suction pumps that had been stored unauthorisedly, sources added. Unauthorised storing of such products indicate that these were used for adulteration purposes and for sale also, sources added. Petroleum products, meant for adulteration purpose, which were recovered include, light diesel oil, kerosene, high speed diesel, black oil, kerosene treated with bleaching powder, hydrogen peroxide and high density black oil, sources added.