Oil theft gang busted, 4 held with tanker,cash

Times News Network

Kanpur: Police on Sunday busted a gang involved in stealing oil from Indian Oil tankers and arrested four accused, recovering an Indian Oil tanker filled with approximately 15,000 litres of oil, 35 litres of stolen diesel and Rs 36,150 in cash, police said.

The action followed complaints of oil shortage and theft from Indian Oil tankers that had been coming in for a long time.

On Sunday, the Panki police received information that some people were siphoning off oil from a tanker near Armapur canal and selling it. Acting on the tip-off, a police team raided the spot.

A commotion broke out as soon as the accused spotted the police, however, four accused were apprehended after being surrounded. During interrogation, they were identified as Sheikh Sain Akhtar alias Shanu, tanker driver Pushpendra Singh Chandel, Rohit Saini, and Ashish Srivastava.

Police investigation revealed that Sheikh Sain Akhtar alias Shanu was in-charge of operating the tankers. He would lure tanker drivers with more money to steal oil enroute. The stolen oil was subsequently sold to locals at a lower price.

Police suspect that the gang had been active in this racket for a long time and had siphoned off and sold oil from tankers on multiple occasions. Police seized the Indian Oil tanker filled with approximately 15,000 litres of oil from the spot. Additionally, 35 litres of stolen diesel stored in two drums and Rs 36,150 in cash were also recovered.

DCP (West) SM Qasim Abidi said that complaints of continuous oil theft from Indian Oil tankers had been received. Taking the matter seriously, a police team had been deployed for surveillance.

He stated that several important leads have been obtained from the accused during interrogation. Police are searching for other people linked to the gang and they will be arrested and sent to jail soon.