A mobile court has imposed a fine of Tk 1.40 lakh and seized nearly 2,480 litres of octane following the discovery of illegally stored fuel at a commercial premises in the Taltala area under Patenga Police Station in Chattogram.
The enforcement drive was conducted on Wednesday (8 April) at around 3:45 pm at a business outlet identified as Hafiz Mobarak Ali Shah Traders. The operation was led by Executive Magistrate S M Amirul Mostafa as part of a wider regulatory campaign against unauthorised fuel storage and distribution.
According to officials involved in the raid, large quantities of octane were discovered stored in violation of licensing requirements. The seized fuel was reportedly kept in multiple containers, including industrial drums and plastic jars, without any valid documentation authorising purchase, storage, or distribution.
Details of Seized Fuel Stock
| Container Type |
Quantity |
Capacity per Unit |
Estimated Volume |
| Drums |
11 units |
200 litres each |
2,200 litres |
| Plastic jars |
14 units |
20 litres each |
280 litres |
| Total |
— |
— |
2,480 litres |
The establishment is owned by a businessman identified as Zainal Abedin. During the operation, officials stated that he claimed ownership of multiple commercial speedboats; however, he was unable to produce any legal documentation supporting the purchase or authorised storage of the fuel.
Following questioning, the trader reportedly admitted to the offence and sought leniency. Authorities subsequently imposed financial penalties under relevant provisions of national law, including violations of the Bangladesh Petroleum Act, 2016 and the Consumer Rights Protection Act, 2009. A combined fine of Tk 1.40 lakh was imposed alongside an additional penalty of Tk 10,000 under specific legal clauses cited by the mobile court.
Officials further confirmed that the seized octane was confiscated under section 21(a) of the applicable legislation and handed over to representatives of the Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation for safe custody. The authorities have also instructed that the confiscated fuel be auctioned in due course, with proceeds deposited into the government treasury.
Executive Magistrate S M Amirul Mostafa stated that the drive was carried out under directives from senior district administration officials, as part of ongoing efforts to maintain stability in fuel supply chains and prevent illegal hoarding. He emphasised that such operations would continue regularly across Chattogram to deter unauthorised stockpiling of hazardous petroleum products.
He further warned that storing highly flammable substances such as octane without proper licensing poses significant risks, particularly in densely populated areas. In this case, the storage site was reportedly located near residential zones and educational institutions, raising serious concerns over public safety.
Authorities noted that improper storage of petroleum products not only violates regulatory frameworks but also creates potential fire hazards that could lead to large-scale accidents. The mobile court reiterated that strict action would continue against individuals or entities engaged in illegal fuel trading or unsafe storage practices.
The district administration has pledged to maintain intensified monitoring of fuel-related businesses in order to ensure compliance with safety standards and prevent any disruption to lawful distribution channels.
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