A mobile court in the city of Rajshahi has fined a young man for attempting to obtain fuel from a petrol station by falsely presenting himself as a police officer, in what authorities described as a deliberate act of impersonation.
The incident took place on Sunday at approximately 12:30 pm at the Gul Gafur petrol pump, located under Boalia Model Thana. The operation was conducted by an executive magistrate, Md Borhan Uddin Antor, who led a mobile court drive following suspicions raised by staff at the fuel station.
According to officials, the accused, Md Touhidur Rahman (29), son of Md Mobarak Hossain from the Raypara area under Kashiadanga Thana, attempted to receive petrol by claiming to be a serving member of the police force. However, employees at the station grew suspicious about his identity and alerted authorities before completing the transaction.
Following verification and on-site questioning, it was determined that the individual was not affiliated with any law enforcement agency. He was subsequently detained and brought before the mobile court.
The court found him guilty under Section 92(1) of the Road Transport Act, 2018, which penalises fraudulent conduct and misuse of identity in relation to transport and fuel-related offences. He was fined BDT 10,000, with a provision of six months’ imprisonment in default of payment. The accused ultimately paid the fine and was released on the spot.
Authorities emphasised that such impersonation not only constitutes a legal violation but also undermines public trust in official institutions. They further warned that strict action would continue against individuals attempting to exploit the identity of law enforcement personnel for personal gain.
The incident has also prompted renewed calls for greater vigilance at fuel stations, where staff are often the first line of defence against fraudulent activities.
Incident Overview
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Gul Gafur Petrol Pump, Rajshahi |
| Time | Sunday, around 12:30 pm |
| Accused | Md Touhidur Rahman (29) |
| Residence | Raypara area, Kashiadanga Thana |
| Allegation | Impersonating police officer to obtain fuel |
| Law Applied | Road Transport Act, 2018, Section 92(1) |
| Penalty | BDT 10,000 fine (or 6 months’ imprisonment in default) |
| Outcome | Fine paid, accused released |
The mobile court reiterated its commitment to maintaining lawful conduct in public service areas and ensuring that fraudulent impersonation cases are dealt with promptly and firmly.