BNP leader's fuel stash seized in Kurigram raid

A mobile court has confiscated drums of petrol illegally stored at the residence of a local Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leader in Roumari upazila, imposing a fine under the Petroleum Act, 2016.

The operation, conducted around 6:00 pm on Thursday, targeted the cattle shed of Abu Jahan, president of ward no. 6 BNP in Dantabhanga union.

Acting on a tip-off, Executive Magistrate and Upazila Assistant Commissioner (Land) Rafiqul Rahman led the drive, seizing multiple drums of petrol along with equipment allegedly used for illicit fuel sales.

Abu Jahan was fined Tk 10,000 for unlawful storage and suspected profiteering. The seized fuel was immediately confiscated by the mobile court.

Local sources alleged that Jahan's son, Ershadul Haque, was also involved in storing and selling the petrol at inflated prices. These claims have not been independently verified.

Assistant Commissioner Rafiqul Rahman stated that the fuel had been stored in a hazardous manner within a residential area, posing significant safety risks to the community.

"The storage method violated basic safety protocols," he said. "Those involved have been warned against repeating such activities."

The seizure comes amid heightened scrutiny of fuel hoarding across Bangladesh, following government assurances that retail petrol prices will remain stable.

Authorities have repeatedly urged citizens and businesses to refrain from panic buying or stockpiling, warning that such actions exacerbate supply pressures without financial gain.

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has indicated that enforcement drives against illegal fuel storage will continue nationwide, with mobile courts empowered to act under the Petroleum Act, 2016.

Rokonuzzaman Manu/MHK