Authorities in the northern Bangladeshi district of Natore have uncovered a large quantity of hoarded fuel stored in an underground water tank during a mobile court operation, raising concerns about attempts to create an artificial fuel shortage in the local market.
The operation took place on Saturday afternoon (7 March) in the Ningoin area of Singra municipality. During the raid, officials recovered approximately 10,000 litres of diesel concealed inside a water storage tank buried beneath the ground. A local trader was subsequently fined for illegally storing the fuel.
The mobile court was led by Singra Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) and Executive Magistrate Abdullah Al Rifat, who imposed a fine of 5,000 Bangladeshi taka on Mohammad Rubel, the proprietor of Sotota Traders, located at the Singra Thana intersection. Authorities said the businessman had stored the diesel in an unauthorised manner, allegedly with the intention of manipulating supply and profiting from higher market prices.
According to local sources, intelligence reports suggested that a group of traders in the area had been stockpiling fuel to create an artificial shortage. Acting on this information, the administration launched an inspection in Ningoin Bhatopara, where officials discovered the underground tank filled with diesel.
Although the trader reportedly possessed permission to store fuel for commercial purposes, officials stated that the storage method violated regulatory procedures under the Petroleum Act of 2016. As a result, the mobile court imposed a financial penalty and ordered the trader to transfer the entire stock of fuel to his authorised business premises within the following day.
Officials present during the operation included Senior Upazila Fisheries Officer Md Shahadat Hossain, Upazila Agriculture Officer Khandakar Farid, and Upazila Livestock Officer Md Tashriful Islam, among others. Their presence was intended to ensure transparency and inter-departmental oversight during the enforcement drive.
Key Details of the Operation
| Item | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Ningoin Bhatopara, Singra, Natore |
| Date of Operation | 7 March |
| Fuel Recovered | 10,000 litres of diesel |
| Accused Trader | Mohammad Rubel, proprietor of Sotota Traders |
| Legal Basis | Petroleum Act, 2016 |
| Fine Imposed | 5,000 Bangladeshi taka |
| Enforcement Authority | Mobile Court led by UNO Abdullah Al Rifat |
In a separate operation on the same day, district administration officials also conducted inspections in the Sherkol and Hatiandah markets of Singra upazila. During these raids, three shopkeepers were fined a combined total of 8,000 taka for violating sections 37, 38, and 42 of the Consumer Rights Protection Act, 2009.
Executive Magistrate Mahmudul Hasan Dipu from the district administration led those market inspections, targeting irregularities such as price manipulation and improper product handling.
Speaking after the operation, UNO Abdullah Al Rifat stated that the administration had received credible intelligence indicating that some unscrupulous traders were planning to exploit the fuel market by artificially limiting supply and charging inflated prices. He emphasised that while traders may legally store fuel under specific licences, they must strictly follow proper storage and safety regulations.
He further warned that such enforcement drives would continue in order to maintain stability in the local fuel market and protect consumers from unfair trade practices. Local authorities have also urged traders to comply fully with legal requirements regarding fuel storage and sales to prevent similar penalties in the future.