Fuel fraud in Bharat Petroleum pump in Cachar creates controversy; 900 mL as opposed to 1.2 L, alleges customer

A verbal disagreement between two parties surrounding a faulty fuel meter at a petrol pump quickly turned awry and volatile. In South Krishnapur’s Bharat Petroleum fuel station situated near Sonabarighat bazaar, a few customers alleged that the owner of the pump has misappropriated petrol by deceitfully injecting less amount of fuel than what’s mentioned in the meter. The argument quickly turned to a heated quarrel where other customers also hurled allegations at the owner after the fraud was discovered. Later police came and intervened in the situation to calm things down.

According to the customer who discovered the irregularity, when he arrived at the fuel station today at around 11 am, his motorcycle fuel tank was already almost full, so he asked to provide the rest of the fuel in a bottle, which has actually caused the controversy. “I asked them to give 200 rupees of petrol. But as my fuel tank was already full, I asked the person to give the rest of the fuel in a bottle. Initially, they refused to do so, and after arguing for some time, they gave 100 rupees of petrol which gave 1.2 litres of fuel, in a flask by which I took the petrol. After going back home, and pouring that fuel in a 1-litre bottle of mine, it didn’t even fill the entire bottle”, said the customer who also informed the police regarding the same.

Then he said, “I took the petrol in that bottle and confronted the manager. He then started giving excuses like the bottle was faulty and all, so I asked him to measure the quantity of petrol by his own equipment if he has any. I even offered to buy 100 rupees of petrol more to get to the truth, and while doing so, it showed that for that amount, they’re giving even less than 900 mL which is supposed to be 1.2 L for ₹100.” A huge ruckus broke out and many others too joined the heated debate where a group of people along with the customer were seen accusing and hurling allegations against the manager of the Bharat Petroleum fuel station in South Krishnapur near Sonabarighat.

The police arrived later at the scene and detained the manager who was accused of stealing fuel through such fraudulent means. An oil company official also visited the petrol pump and sealed the particular faulty machine. An FIR has been filed against the manager by the customer at the Rangirkhari Police Outpost. “Yes, a case has been registered against that accused petrol pump under Bharat Petroleum. We have also detained the manager for interrogation and the investigation is still underway. Only after a thorough investigation of the petrol pump, we’ll be able to comment any further regarding this case”, said Rangirkhari police outpost I/C Dwijen Borah.