Photo: BSS

PABNA, March 14, 2026 (BSS) - The Department of Consumer Rights Protection has seized 1,500 liters of petrol and octane illegally stored in a cowshed in Chinakhara area under Sujanagar upazila of the district.

The fuel was found in the cowshed of Santoo Islam, owner of Khan Enterprise in Chinakhara Bazar, during an ongoing operation that began Saturday morning.

Mahmud Hasan Rony, Assistant Director of the Pabna Consumer Rights Protection Department, who led the drive, said the operation aimed to curb illegal stockpiling of fuel amid fears of a shortage caused by the ongoing war in the Middle East. 

“Unscrupulous traders were reportedly holding fuel to sell at inflated prices. During our routine check, the shopkeeper’s suspicious behavior prompted further inspection, which led to the discovery of the illegallystored oil,” he said.

The recovered fuel was later sold to the public at government-fixed prices. Santoo Islam was fined Taka 25,000 for the violation.

Rony added that a total of Taka 90,000 was collected as fines from six establishments across four markets, including Ataikula and Chinakhara, where fuel such as petrol, diesel, and octane was being sold at excessive prices.

The Department emphasized that these drives are part of ongoing efforts to protect consumers and prevent exploitation during fuel crises.