54,000 litres of fuel found at two Faridpur pumps displaying ‘No fuel’ signs

Authorities found around 54,000 litres of fuel at two filling stations in Faridpur that had suspended sales, displaying "No fuel" signs during a mobile court drive.

The mobile court fined one of the establishments Tk50,000 for the offence.

According to the district administration, the drive was conducted yesterday (28 March) at Hossain Filling Station in Kanaipur Bazar under Sadar upazila along the Faridpur-Khulna highway, following complaints from locals.

During the drive, officials found 7,000 litres of petrol, 6,500 litres of octane and 14,500 litres of diesel stored at the pump despite sales being halted.

The mobile court fined the station's manager, Sabbir Chowdhury, Tk50,000. The pump was later reopened, ensuring fuel supply to buses, trucks, farmers, private cars and motorcycles. The authorities admitted fault and apologised.

Later, another drive was carried out at Royal Filling Station in the same area following allegations that it was supplying only diesel while withholding petrol and octane.

Officials found 3,500 litres of petrol, 3,400 litres of octane and 19,000 litres of diesel in stock at the station.

The pump owner and manager cited technical issues with the machines and apologised. Authorities then ensured the immediate resumption of petrol and octane sales.

The drive was led by Faridpur Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer and Executive Magistrate Meshkatul Jannat Rabeya.

Assistant Commissioner (Land) and Executive Magistrate Md Shafiqul Islam, along with Assistant Commissioners and Executive Magistrates Dipta Chakraborty and Sakib Rahman Akash, were also present.

Confirming the incident, Shafiqul Islam said, "Drives have been conducted at various petrol pumps in the upazila, and such drives will continue."