A mobile court in Sathkhira has imposed fines on two filling stations for selling fuel at higher-than-permitted prices from existing stock. The AB Khan Filling Station was fined BDT 20,000, while the Laskar Filling Station received a penalty of BDT 10,000. The fines were issued during separate operations conducted at approximately 11:30 a.m. and 12:00 noon on Sunday.
According to the district administration’s daily fuel report, a total of 29 filling stations across the district held significant fuel stocks at the time of inspection. The recorded inventory on the morning of the operation included 101,432 litres of diesel, 54,485 litres of petrol, and 22,683 litres of octane.
Fuel Stock Position in Sathkhira District
| Fuel Type | Quantity in Stock |
|---|---|
| Diesel | 101,432 litres |
| Petrol | 54,485 litres |
| Octane | 22,683 litres |
Following a government announcement regarding fuel pricing, Deputy Commissioner Afroza Akhtar issued instructions that existing stock at filling stations must be sold at previously fixed rates. She also directed that newly supplied fuel from depots should be sold at the newly determined official prices.
Despite these directives, several filling stations reportedly began selling fuel at increased prices from the morning. In response, tag officers deployed at the stations attempted to enforce compliance. Their intervention led to a temporary suspension of fuel sales across the district, lasting approximately one hour, as filling station owners halted operations.
However, fuel sales later resumed, with reports indicating that higher-than-approved pricing continued at some stations. Following these developments, the district administration launched enforcement operations through mobile courts.
During the initial phase of the drive, the AB Khan Filling Station in the district town was fined BDT 20,000, while the Laskar Filling Station was fined BDT 10,000. The actions were taken on the basis of allegations that the stations had sold stockpiled fuel at inflated prices, contrary to official instructions.
Assistant Commissioner Shahid Hossain of the district administration stated: “The filling stations have been fined and cautioned over allegations of selling stored fuel at higher prices. The district-wide operation will continue.”
The district administration confirmed that monitoring activities will remain in place to ensure compliance with government-fixed fuel pricing. Officials further indicated that legal measures will be taken against any establishment found violating pricing regulations during ongoing inspections.
The enforcement drive forms part of routine regulatory oversight aimed at ensuring adherence to government directives regarding the distribution and sale of petroleum products within the district.