Three jailed for hoarding fuel in Sylhet

Authorities have seized around 3,000 litres of fuel during the operation

A mobile court in Sylhet has sentenced three men to three months in prison each for illegally stockpiling and price-gouging fuel.

The drive was conducted between 1:30am and 7am on Wednesday in Sylhet Sadar Upazila’s Dhopagul.

According to Upazila administrator (UNO) Khushnoor Rubaiyath, the raid targeted homes where fuel was being stored unlawfully to be sold at inflated prices.

The convicts are Usman, identified with a single name, Zakir Hossain and Hafiz Md Lahin Mia.

Khushnoor said that the trio had hoarded nearly 3,000 litres of fuel, a practice that risked creating an artificial energy crisis in the local market.

"The convicts were selling this fuel at exorbitant rates," she explained. "During the raid, we seized 920 litres of diesel, alongside five empty, one half-full, and four full drums.

“Equipment used for decanting the fuel was also recovered."

The seized fuel has been confiscated by the state.

Authorities confirmed that the fuel would be sold at the government-fixed rate, with the proceeds deposited into the national treasury.

The UNO added that such operations would continue to ensure a steady supply of essential commodities and to maintain fair pricing in the public interest.