3 caught stealing aviation fuel meant for Air Force

Police have detained three people for allegedly siphoning and adulteration of aviation fuel meant to be used by the Indian Air force.

“We detained Shiv Pratap Singh, driver of the fuel tanker along with the cleaner and aide. They were found siphoning off the aviation fuel from the tanker and adulterating it,” said Satendra Pawar, station house officer (SHO) of Aonla police station.

The driver has told police that he was bringing the tanker from Gujarat to Trishul airbase of in Bareilly. “They stopped the tanker near a village in Aonla and were siphoning oil from the tanker in 20 L plastic cans,” said the SHO. “The cans were meant to be sold to local dealers for distribution,” he added.

The driver said he was working under Vineet Singh who had promised him ₹5000 for the transaction. They exchanged 400 L of fuel at a time. “The driver has also said that they addded cheap kerosene in the fuel to maintain the quantity,” said the SHO. The siphoned fuel was also adulterated with kerosene before being sold as petrol in the open market.

The police have also decided to start investigation against six people, including the Gujaratbased owner of the tanker. They are waiting for the administrative go ahead to lodge FIR against them.

“FIR in case of adulteration is lodged as per the directions of the district magistrate and officials of weight and measurement department,” said the SHO, “We have informed them about the case and will lodge an FIR as per their advice,” he added.

Taking cognizance of the issue, officials of Trishul airbase have ordered an internal inquiry.

Air force officials have denied any possibility of adulterated aviation fuel being used by IAF planes. The officials have maintained that every batch of aviation fuel is tested for quality before being stored or fed into planes.