Illegal Fuel Storage at Pabna Pump Draws Tk 90,000 Mobile Court Fine

A mobile court has fined Tk 90,000 after finding illegally stored fuel oil at a pump allegedly linked to a Jamaat leader in Pabna. The drive was conducted on Saturday (March 7) afternoon at an oil pump in Islampur village under Hemayetpur Union of Pabna Sadar Upazila. The mobile court was led by Executive Magistrate Abdul Alim.

During the raid, authorities found a large quantity of fuel oil stored in plastic tanks in what officials described as a risky and unauthorized environment. The pump authorities failed to show valid documents or approval for storing and selling petrol.

The mobile court fined Abdul Hannan, brother of local Union Parishad Chairman Jahangir Alam alias Alam Haji and director of the pump, Tk 90,000 under relevant sections of the law.

According to district administration sources, intelligence information suggested that fuel oil was being secretly stored in a large tank near a mosque in Islampur village. Authorities also received allegations that the oil was being traded without proper government oversight.

The mobile court conducted the operation at around 3 pm and continued the raid for nearly two hours before identifying several irregularities.

Local residents, however, expressed dissatisfaction with the penalty, alleging that the pump had been operating without proper licenses for a long time. Some residents also claimed that a stronger legal action should have been taken.

According to locals, an explosion at the same pump in November 2021 left two workers dead. The incident had raised questions at the time about the safety and legality of the pump’s operations.

Executive Magistrate Abdul Alim said that the pump has been warned and ordered to correct its documents.

“Evidence of irregularities was found during the operation. Under the Mobile Court Act, a fine has been imposed and time has been given to correct the documents. The pump will remain under surveillance,” he said.

When contacted, Hemayetpur Union Parishad Chairman Jahangir Alam alias Alam Haji denied the allegations. He said the pump is managed by his younger brother Abdul Hannan and claimed that necessary documents exist.