Fuel Theft – Lucknow Police Bust Alleged Adulteration Network, Four Held in Major Crackdown
Fuel Theft – Authorities in Lucknow have uncovered an alleged organised fuel adulteration network after a targeted operation led to multiple arrests and the seizure of thousands of litres of petroleum products.
Police Action Targets Illegal Fuel Trade
The Lucknow Police Crime Branch has arrested four people accused of running an organised operation involving fuel theft, petrol and diesel adulteration, illegal storage, and black-market sales. The action was carried out under a special drive named “Operation Ethanol Shield,” which was launched to identify and dismantle networks involved in petroleum-related crimes across the city.
The arrested individuals have been identified as Anil Kumar, Abhishek Rajput, Dheeraj Singh, and Ramtirth. Officials believe the group was engaged in stealing fuel from transport tankers before mixing it with solvents and selling the adulterated product for illegal financial gain.
Investigation Began After Intelligence Inputs
According to the Lucknow Police, the Crime Branch initiated the operation after receiving credible information about organised groups allegedly involved in fuel theft and unauthorised petroleum trading. The investigation also aimed to examine claims that ethanol-blended petrol was responsible for vehicle-related problems and determine whether such complaints were actually linked to fuel adulteration rather than the approved fuel blend.
Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Kiran Yadav said the coordinated operation was conducted on July 12, 2026. He stated that investigators uncovered an organised system in which fuel was allegedly siphoned from tankers, stored at illegal locations, mixed with solvents, and later sold through unauthorised channels.
Raid Near Malihabad Revealed Suspected Illegal Activities
Based on specific intelligence, the Crime Branch conducted a raid near the Sanyasi Bagh flyover under the Malihabad police station area. During the operation, officers intercepted a fuel tanker along with another vehicle believed to be connected to the suspected network.
Initial findings indicated that the tanker had departed from the Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) terminal at Amausi carrying petrol and diesel intended for delivery to a fuel station on Vidhan Sabha Marg. Investigators alleged that part of the fuel was being diverted and sold before reaching the designated destination.
An Excise Department team was called to inspect the petroleum products at the site. Following verification, officials confirmed the presence of illegally stored fuel and evidence of fuel adulteration.
Large Quantity of Fuel and Equipment Seized
Police recovered a substantial quantity of petroleum products during the operation. The seized materials included approximately 7,750 litres of petrol, 4,000 litres of diesel, around 1,150 litres of adulterated petrol, nearly 3,200 litres of solvent, and about 250 litres of petrol recovered from the tanker’s pipe and an additional chamber.
Authorities also confiscated two vehicles and several items allegedly used during the operation, including a master key, dip rod, plastic pipes, funnels, measuring containers, and other equipment believed to have supported the illegal activity.
Interrogation Reveals Alleged Modus Operandi
According to police, the tanker driver allegedly admitted during questioning that fuel was siphoned while transporting consignments from the Amausi depot. Investigators claim the stolen petrol was sold to one of the accused at a fixed rate before being mixed with solvents and resold at higher prices to generate illegal profits.
Lucknow Police stated that “Operation Ethanol Shield” has been introduced to curb organised fuel theft, prevent petroleum adulteration, and stop black marketing activities. Officials said such offences not only result in financial losses for consumers but can also affect vehicle performance while creating misconceptions about the Government of India’s ethanol-blended fuel policy.