Padma Oil Company PLC has initiated an investigation following allegations that 72,000 litres of jet fuel were stolen during transit from its Godnail depot in Narayanganj to the Kurmitola Aviation Depot adjacent to Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in the capital.
A specialised investigation team from the state-owned fuel distributor visited the Kurmitola facility on Saturday morning, March 14, to examine CCTV footage, verify stock levels and interview relevant personnel.
Investigation team deployed
The probe is being led by Md Shafiul Azam, Deputy General Manager (Audit) and Head of Internal Audit and Compliance, alongside Manager (Operations) Pyaar Ahmed and Officer (Engineering) KM Abdur Rahim.
According to company sources, the team reviewed surveillance footage from multiple locations within the Kurmitola depot and cross-referenced it with recordings from the Civil Aviation Authority to verify the movement of fuel-carrying vehicles. Officials also conducted physical measurements of fuel stocks at the depot and held discussions with depot managers and staff.
Four vehicles go missing in transit
Padma Oil sources indicate that at least four tank lorries carrying jet fuel departed from the Godnail depot on Wednesday, March 11, but failed to arrive at their designated destination in Kurmitola. The vehicles in question bear registration numbers 41-0700, 42-0252, 41-0649 and 41-0698.
Despite the vehicles not reaching the Kurmitola facility, documentation suggests they completed the journey. Investigators suspect that the fuel was diverted and sold illicitly en route.
"The paperwork shows the vehicles arrived, but physically they did not," a Padma Oil official stated on condition of anonymity. "We are now tracing the exact route taken by these tankers and verifying entry logs at the depot to determine where the discrepancy occurred."
Motive and market concerns
Jet fuel, primarily used to power commercial and private aircraft, is sold at a lower rate than automotive fuels such as octane. Industry insiders warn that this price differential creates an incentive for organised groups to divert jet fuel, adulterate it with other products, and sell it on the open market.
"Because jet fuel is relatively cheaper, miscreants sometimes mix it with octane and distribute it through unauthorised channels," a fuel sector analyst explained. "This not only results in revenue loss for the state but also poses serious risks to vehicle engines and aviation safety standards."
Next steps in the probe
Padma Oil has not yet confirmed whether law enforcement agencies have been formally notified. However, company officials indicated that the investigation team will submit a preliminary report within the coming days, outlining findings on vehicle tracking data, depot entry records and staff testimonies.
Should the probe confirm large-scale diversion, the company is expected to file a formal complaint with the relevant authorities and review its logistics and monitoring protocols to prevent similar incidents in future.
The Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission and the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources have been briefed on the matter, though no official statement has been issued.
Padma Oil Company PLC, a subsidiary of Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation, is responsible for the distribution of petroleum products across the country. Any significant breach in its supply chain could have implications for fuel availability and pricing in the domestic market.
Further updates are expected as the investigation progresses.