Dhaka: A total of 87,700 litres of illegally hoarded fuel were seized during the countrywide mobile court drives across the country in the past 24 hours till Tuesday. The information was disclosed at a regular press briefing of the Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Division held at the Secretariat on Tuesday.
According to United News of Bangladesh, Joint Secretary Monir Hossain Chowdhury stated that, based on reports from all 64 districts, a total of 391 drives were conducted nationwide. In addition to the seizures, 191 cases were filed and fines amounting to Tk 9,35,070 were imposed during the operations. Legal actions were taken, resulting in one person being sentenced to two months in jail in Satkhira, another to one year in Chandpur, and a third to one month in Gazipur.
The data revealed that the seized fuel included 67,400 litres of diesel, 6,444 litres of octane, and 13,856 litres of petrol. Magistrates from the Energy and Mineral Resources Division continued their regular inspections in areas such as Uttara Beribadh, Gabtoli, and Amin Bazar in the capital, closely monitoring the fuel supply situation.
During one operation in the Dhaur Uttara Beribadh area, fuel was discovered being sold openly by the roadside. The shopkeeper managed to evade capture upon the arrival of the mobile court team. Authorities confiscated 100 litres of diesel and 10 litres of octane from the scene. The seized fuel was subsequently sold to consumers through a nearby filling station, with the proceeds set to be deposited into the government treasury through official channels.
The briefing also highlighted that following a decision made at an online meeting on March 27 chaired by Energy Secretary Mohammad Saiful Islam, a ‘tag officer’ has been appointed for each petrol pump across the country. In Dhaka and Chattogram metropolitan areas, the Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) has assigned tag officers, while in other districts and divisional cities, deputy commissioners and Upazila Nirbahi Officers have designated officials for the role. Tag officers will follow guidelines set by the division and BPC, take necessary actions as directed by higher authorities, and submit reports accordingly.
The division-wise breakdown of tag officers was also provided, with the highest number-479-assigned in 13 districts under Dhaka Division. Additionally, officials reassured there is no shortage of fuel in the country, with current stocks as of March 31, 2026, standing at 128,939 metric tonnes of diesel, 7,940 metric tonnes of octane, 11,431 metric tonnes of petrol, and 44,609 metric tonnes of jet fuel.