Junagadh, July 19 (IANS) The Gujarat Police’s State Monitoring Cell on Sunday seized suspected adulterated biodiesel and related equipment worth over Rs 2.13 crore during coordinated raids at three locations in Junagadh district, arresting eight people and booking five others who remain wanted in connection with the alleged illegal trade.
According to the officials, the raids were conducted in the Chorwad and Manavadar police station areas against suspected inflammable petroleum liquid, described as adulterated biodiesel being sold in the name of diesel.
Officers seized a total of 30,970 litres of the suspected fuel, valued at Rs 28,21,130; seven electric motors; 15 vehicles, including trucks, a vehicle, and a bus; nine liquid storage tanks; cash amounting to Rs 58,250; five mobile phones; and other equipment. The total value of the seized property was estimated at Rs 2,13,48,880.
The largest quantity of suspected adulterated biodiesel was recovered from Shivkrupa Traders, located in Bhavani Complex on the Gadu-Maliya road.
Police said they seized 18,300 litres of suspected fuel, three electric motors, two dispensing machines, four vehicles, five storage tanks, cash of Rs 14,500, a mobile phone, and other equipment, with the total seizure valued at Rs 51,78,560.
Four people, identified as Shahilkha Ligari, Arjunkumar Galchar, Nareshkumar Dabhi and Raju Rada, were arrested in the case.
Police have also named Pappu alias Parbat Natha Solanki and an unidentified person alleged to have supplied the illegal inflammable liquid as wanted accused.
A case has been registered at Chorwad Police Station under Sections 287, 288, 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, Sections 3 and 7 of the Essential Commodities Act, and Section 9(B)(1)(B) of the Explosives Act, 1884.
In a second raid at Radhe Enterprise, situated beside Vrindavan Hotel on the Gadu-Chorwad Highway in Maliya (Hatina) taluka, officers recovered 10,070 litres of suspected adulterated biodiesel, two electric motors, two dispensing machines, two vehicles, two storage tanks, cash amounting to Rs 39,250, two mobile phones, and other equipment. The seized property was valued at Rs 27,38,820.
Faruk Dal and Lakha Kodiyatar were arrested in this case, while Gautam Karetha, Bharat Koriya and Anwar Hothi have been named as wanted accused.
Another FIR has been registered at Chorwad Police Station under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Essential Commodities Act.
The third operation was carried out at Neelkanth Transport on Mitdi Road in Manavadar, where police seized 2,600 litres of suspected adulterated biodiesel, two electric motors, one dispenser, 13 vehicles, two storage tanks, cash amounting to Rs 4,500, two mobile phones, a DVR, and other equipment.
The total value of the seizure was estimated at Rs 1,34,31,500, largely due to the vehicles recovered from the premises.
Somil Bhimani and Jitesh Chauhan were arrested in the case. Police registered an FIR at Manavadar Police Station under Sections 287, 288, 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, Sections 3 and 7 of the Essential Commodities Act, and Section 9(B)(1)(B) of the Explosives Act, 1884, adding that further accused identified during the investigation would also face legal action.
The State Monitoring Cell said the sale of illegally manufactured or adulterated biodiesel is prohibited in Gujarat.
It stated that the use of such fuel increases emissions of toxic smoke and pollutants, contributing to air pollution, while improper disposal of chemicals and waste generated during its production can contaminate land, groundwater and water bodies.
It further warned that substandard fuel can damage vehicle engines and pose risks to road safety, and that illegally manufactured or stored inflammable substances increase the likelihood of serious incidents such as fires and explosions.
“Such illegal trade causes loss of government revenue and adversely affects the legitimate fuel business,” officials said.
–IANS
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