Businessman jailed for illegal petrol stockpiling

A mobile court in Sunamganj has sentenced a businessman to six months in jail and fined him Taka 10,000 for illegally storing petrol in violation of government regulations.

The mobile court, led by Assistant Commissioner and Executive Magistrate
Mohammad SowadSattar Chowdhury of the District Collector’s Office, conducted a drive on Sunday night in the Point area of Ahmedabad village under Gourarang Union of Sadarupazila.

During the operation, authorities found that local businessman Sohel Chowdhury, 35, had illegally stockpiled fuel oil and petrol in hopes of making extra profit amid global market uncertainties. Officials seized 11 barrels of petrol from his shop.

Sohel Chowdhury, son of the late Gias Chowdhury of Ahmedabad village in Gourarang Union, was immediately tried by the mobile court and sentenced to six months’ imprisonment along with a Taka 10,000 fine.

Executive Magistrate Mohammad SowadSattar Chowdhury confirmed the matter, stating that the action was taken following a tip-off. Similar drives would continue to prevent illegal fuel storage and protect public interests, he added.