A case has been registered against a farmer in Pilibhit for allegedly procuring diesel through unfair means and selling it illegally at higher prices, according to police. The accused, Lalit Verma, a resident of Andarayan village, had set up a godown in Nagaria Colony under Amaria police station limits for this trade.
The FIR was lodged late Saturday night after a joint team of revenue, police, and supply department officials raided the godown and seized a stock of diesel that had allegedly been procured at lower rates from commercial vehicles transporting sand and mud.
District supply inspector Mohammad Anas, in his complaint, stated that the team had to break open the godown locks in the presence of local witnesses as the owner had fled. A total of 232 litres of diesel stored in a plastic drum, canister, and bucket was recovered and seized.
Locals informed officials that Verma sold diesel at higher prices to meet the emergency needs of marginal farmers. Anas said the seized stock was kept in the custody of a nearby petrol pump. He added that approval from district magistrate Gyanendra Singh was obtained before registering the FIR.
SHO Amaria Amit Singh confirmed that the accused has been charged under Sections 3 and 7 of the Essential Commodities Act.
