A mobile court in Godagari upazila of Rajshahi has fined a fuel trader after uncovering an illegal stockpile of around 3,000 litres of diesel stored without the required legal documentation. The enforcement drive is part of ongoing efforts by the administration to stabilise the local fuel market and prevent hoarding, artificial shortages, and price manipulation.
The operation was carried out on Tuesday (31 March) afternoon at Sultanpur Ghat in the Godagari municipal area during a routine market monitoring exercise. Officials stated that such inspections are being regularly conducted to ensure fair distribution of essential commodities and to discourage unlawful storage practices that could disrupt supply chains or place undue pressure on consumer prices.
During the raid, a mobile court led by the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) and Executive Magistrate inspected the business premises of Messrs Dui Bhai Traders. According to officials, a substantial quantity of diesel was found stored on the premises. However, the owner of the establishment, identified as 60-year-old Mohammad Abdullah, was unable to present any valid purchase receipts, storage permits, or documentation confirming the legal source of the fuel.
Following verification of the situation, the mobile court concluded that the trader had violated provisions of the Consumer Rights Protection Act, 2009. The court subsequently imposed a fine of BDT 25,000 under Section 45 of the Act for unlawful stockpiling and failure to produce lawful documentation relating to the fuel.
Key Details of the Operation
| Category | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Sultanpur Ghat, Godagari Municipality, Rajshahi |
| Date of operation | Tuesday, 31 March |
| Estimated diesel seized | Approximately 3,000 litres |
| Business name | Messrs Dui Bhai Traders |
| Proprietor | Mohammad Abdullah (60) |
| Legal framework | Consumer Rights Protection Act, 2009 (Section 45) |
| Action taken | BDT 25,000 fine imposed |
| Enforcement authority | Mobile Court led by UNO and Executive Magistrate |
Speaking on the drive, UNO Nazmus Sadat Ratna stated that the government remains committed to ensuring stability in the national fuel supply chain. He noted that a section of unscrupulous traders attempt to create artificial shortages by hoarding fuel, which can lead to unjustified price increases and unnecessary hardship for consumers.
He further emphasised that regular enforcement drives are being conducted across the upazila as part of a broader strategy to maintain discipline in the commodity market. According to him, these actions are essential to safeguard public interest and ensure that essential fuels remain available at fair and stable prices.
Officials also indicated that surveillance has been intensified in border-adjacent areas of Rajshahi district to prevent fuel smuggling and other forms of illegal cross-border trade. Such measures, they said, are intended to ensure uninterrupted domestic supply and to curb illicit networks that may exploit proximity to international borders for profit.
Authorities warned that future violations involving illegal fuel storage, unauthorised distribution, or attempts to manipulate prices would face stricter legal consequences, including higher fines and potential further action under applicable consumer protection and administrative laws.
The Godagari operation forms part of a wider nationwide campaign led by field administration teams to regulate essential commodity markets. Fuel, as a strategically important resource, remains under close monitoring due to its vulnerability to both supply disruptions and opportunistic hoarding practices that can have wider economic and social impacts.