The district administration in Pilibhit has taken stringent action against a prominent fuel station, suspending its operating licence and shutting down its operations. This decisive move came after the legal lease for the land housing the petrol pump expired, rendering its continued business illegal.
Administrative Action Follows Legal Complaint
The crackdown unfolded on Wednesday when officials suspended the diesel sale licence and revoked the crucial No-Objection Certificate (NOC) for the Tiwari Filling Station. This outlet is located on the busy Pilibhit–Basti National Highway 730 in Gajraula village.
The trigger for this action was the expiration of the land lease for the fuel station on October 29. The administration acted upon a formal complaint lodged by high court lawyer Arpit Agarwal. He filed the complaint with District Magistrate Gyanendra Singh on behalf of former minister Vinod Tiwari, who is the bona fide owner of the land parcel.
Notice Pasted, Operations Halted
A clear notice was immediately pasted on the fuel dispensing units at the station. It declared that the pump's NOC stood cancelled with immediate effect. Furthermore, the notice explicitly prohibited the sale of any petroleum products from the site.
District Supply Officer Vikas Kumar provided details of the procedural steps taken. He stated that the pump owner, Vimla Awasthi, was served a notice on November 4 and asked to present her side of the story.
Owner's Defense and Final Decision
In her written response, Awasthi contended that a related case concerning the matter was still pending before the civil judge (junior division) court in Pilibhit. She likely sought a stay on administrative action until the court's verdict.
However, the district administration sought legal clarity. "Based on the legal opinion obtained from the district government counsel (revenue), it was concluded that once the land lease expired, the pump owner lost the right to store inflammable petroleum products on the site," explained Vikas Kumar.
This opinion formed the bedrock of the final decision. The administration determined that the expired lease fundamentally invalidated the station's authorization to handle hazardous materials like fuel, regardless of other ongoing legal proceedings.
Consequences and Broader Implications
The immediate consequence is the complete cessation of business for Tiwari Filling Station. It cannot purchase, store, or sell diesel or any other petroleum product until it regularizes the land lease and obtains fresh permissions.
This case highlights the critical importance of valid land documents and timely renewals for commercial establishments, especially those dealing in hazardous commodities. It also underscores the administration's willingness to act against non-compliance, even on major highways, following due legal process.
