Daijiworld Media Network - Puttur (SP)

Puttur, Jun 30: Deputy superintendent of police, Dr Gana P Kumar along with some others, raided a spot at Mannagundi, Kaukrady village, Kadaba taluk, on Tuesday June 29, and found that furnace oil was stolen illegally and stored there for resale without documents.

Relating to the raid, six persons, Raghunathan, Muttu Pandy, G Das (37), Singaraj (42), S Karti (27) and Selvaraj (60), were taken into custody.

Dr Gana P Kumar was at the headquarters when an informant called to inform that furnace oil was being tapped from tankers illegally and stored at Mannagundi in Kowkrady village, Kadaba taluk. The information was passed to higher authorities, and the officer, along with Kadaba tahsildar and geologist of mines and geology department from Nellyadi and Puttur town station police sub inspector and staff, went to Mannagundi. During the raid conducted, it was found that two tankers bearing registration Nos, TN 12U 4279 and CAA 9394 were parked there. Four people were transferring furnace oil into the tankers with pumps. At the sight of the police, the accused tried to flee, but they were taken into custody.

It was learnt that in association with Pandy and Raghunathan, an understanding was reached with the drivers of furnace oil tankers moving on Mangaluru-Bengaluru road for money. Between 50 and 200 litres of furnace oil was pilfered from each tanker and transferred to the underground tanks. Once there was substantial collection, the stolen furnace oil was filled in empty tankers and illegally transported and sold. The stolen oil reportedly was transported to Chennai and nearby places by Pandy and Raghunathan, it was gathered.

The furnace oil was seized and pumped into the two empty tankers, both the vehicles were confiscated, diesel pump set, power-driven equipment for mixing pump set oil, a motor, cash Rs 24,000, and several other documents and equipment were seized. The total value of items so seized happens to be Rs 35,21,400.

A case was registered at Uppinangady police station under sections 379, 417, 420 and 2 87 of Indian Penal Code and section 23 of Petroleum Act.