A petrol pump in Jamalpur has been fined by a mobile court for deliberately withholding fuel from customers despite having sufficient reserves.
The drive was conducted on Saturday at M/s Jui Enterprise, situated at the PTI intersection in Sadar Upazila.
The pump’s manager was fined Tk50,000 under the Consumer Rights Protection Act, 2009 for the irregularity.
According to officials from the Energy Department, a large number of motorcyclists had been waiting at the station since morning in search of petrol. However, the authorities at the pump claimed they had run out of fuel, triggering suspicion among customers.
Following multiple complains, Executive Magistrate BMSR Alif, accompanied by Additional Superintendent of Police Md Sohel Mahmud, carried out an on-site inspection.
During the drive, officials discovered around 2,500 litres of petrol stored in 12 separate drums within the premises.
Upon verification, the mobile court concluded that the pump had intentionally withheld fuel to create an artificial shortage. As a result, the fine was imposed immediately.
After the intervention, the petrol pump resumed fuel sales under the supervision of law enforcement authorities, ensuring distribution at government-fixed prices and restoring order among waiting customers.
