2 police inspectors arrested for stealing petrol-diesel worth Rs 21 lakh

The arrested included police inspectors Manubhai Patel and Nanjibhai Chauhan, and supervisor Nathusinh Patel. The trio was arrested Tuesday night and sent to a one-day remand by a local court. Another supervision, Rajendra Patel was arrested on November 27 last year after an inquiry revealed their involvement in the pilferage.

“The four accused were in charge of the petrol pump for different durations between March and December, 2012, the period during which the fuel was stolen. We have got a one-day remand for the three accused and the investigation is on,” ACP JM Chavda said.

An inquiry launched by the department revealed that at least four persons were on duty in the period during which the fuel was stolen, including two police inspectors and two motor transport supervisors. The documents pertaining to the distribution of fuel under their supervision were filled with loopholes. Forged signatures of senior officials of the department were used to divert the fuel.

An FIR was registered with Makarpura police. Police said they were looking at the possibility of involvement of more people including government officials and outsiders in the pilferage.