Sherpur: A mobile court has fined a businessman for illegally storing around 18,000 litres of diesel inside a residential building in Sherpur town. Led by Executive Magistrate Md Mahmudul Hasan, the operation took place late Thursday night at M/s Shimla Traders in the Goalpatti area following a tip-off, officials said.
According to United News of Bangladesh, owner Tapas Nandi was fined Tk 10,000 after allegations of hoarding diesel. The court also ordered the removal of the stored diesel and kerosene to a safer location by Friday evening and imposed a permanent ban on selling fuel oil from residential premises.
Local sources revealed that the businessman had been selling diesel and kerosene to farmers and small traders for an extended period. Although M/s Shimla Traders held a licence for retail sales, a large storage tank with a capacity of about 27,000 litres had been set up beneath a residential building, where around 18,000 litres of diesel were kept.
Authorities stated that the business lacked the required clearances from government bodies, including the Department of Environment. Magistrate Mahmudul Hasan noted that further action would be taken after reviewing documents related to the case.
The drive was conducted with the presence of Additional Superintendent of Police Nasrin Akhter, Assistant Commissioner Selim Reza, and Officer-in-Charge Sohel Rana of Sadar Police Station.