BPCL fuel theft racket: Probe reveals use of duplicate measuring rods, ‘cavities’ in tankers

A probe by Pune City Police into a fuel theft racket, which entailed stealing petrol and diesel from tankers of the Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) in Loni Kalbhor area, has revealed the various methods used by racketeers.

Earlier this month, Pune City Police’s Crime Branch had arrested five persons at Walti village in Loni Kalbhor while they were allegedly stealing fuel from a BPCL tanker. The stolen fuel was being sold in the black market. Police had also named five more accused, including officials of BPCL, for their alleged role in the racket.

The arrested accused included Balaji Bajbalkar (41) and Dattatraya Bajbalkar (41), who allegedly operated this racket with the help of tanker transport manager Sahil Tupe (22),