In a sharp-eyed patrol operation, the Byatarayanapura police in Bengaluru successfully apprehended a 24-year-old man involved in the theft of diesel and confiscated a significant quantity of the stolen fuel. The incident unfolded on Saturday evening along the NICE Road corridor.
Alert Cops Spot Suspicious Vehicle
The breakthrough came around 4 PM when a police team, including ASI Mallu YM, head constable Umesh, and constable Shivaraj, noticed a Tata Indica car without a registration plate parked in an isolated spot near the Veerabhadranagar signal in south Bengaluru. The car's lack of identification and its location raised immediate red flags for the officers.
Upon approaching the vehicle, the police questioned the lone occupant, identified as Venkatesh, a resident of Deepanjalinagar on Mysuru Road. His answers regarding his presence and the missing number plate were evasive and unconvincing. This prompted the officers to conduct a search of the car.
Plastic Containers Filled with Stolen Fuel
The search revealed the shocking extent of the operation. Inside the vehicle, police discovered 13 plastic containers filled with diesel. When pressed for an explanation, Venkatesh attempted to flee the scene on foot, abandoning the car. However, the alert police personnel gave chase and swiftly detained him.
During subsequent interrogation, Venkatesh allegedly confessed to his modus operandi. He told police that he would siphon diesel from parked lorries and other heavy vehicles along NICE Road and nearby areas using pipes. The stolen fuel was then stored in plastic containers and sold to motorists at prices lower than the market rate.
Public Safety Risk and Legal Action
The police confirmed that the recovered containers held more than 350 litres of diesel. Authorities revealed that Venkatesh had deliberately removed the car's number plate to avoid being identified by CCTV cameras. He also admitted that the vehicle used in the thefts belonged to his brother, whom the police later asked to produce the car's documents.
A senior police officer emphasized the dual crime, stating that the accused not only committed theft but also endangered public safety by illegally transporting highly flammable fuel without any safety precautions. Both the Tata Indica car and the seized diesel have been impounded.
The Byatarayanapura police have registered a case under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including Section 125 (acts endangering life or personal safety of others), Section 287 (negligent conduct with respect to fire or combustible matter), and Section 303 (theft). Venkatesh has been remanded to judicial custody, and further investigation is underway.
Police also highlighted a common issue, noting that many goods vehicle drivers only realize they have been robbed when their tank runs dry during transit, which often leads to such incidents going unreported.
Police Advisory to Prevent Fuel Theft
To combat such crimes, authorities advise vehicle owners, especially those with large fuel tanks, to take the following precautions:
- Park vehicles only in well-lit and properly guarded areas.
- Install sturdy locks on fuel caps as a deterrent.
- Avoid parking in isolated spots by the roadside during night hours.
- Make it a habit to check the fuel tank upon returning to the vehicle and report any suspicious activity to the police immediately.
