The Gujarat ATS has arrested eight men for allegedly stealing crude oil by puncturing an HPCL pipeline in Rajasthan’s Balotra district. The case points to a wider theft network, with investigators probing more links and security lapses.
The Gujarat Anti-Terrorist Squad has arrested eight people for allegedly stealing crude oil by puncturing an HPCL pipeline passing through Rajasthan’s Balotra district, officials said on Tuesday. The action began after the agency received intelligence about some people trying to sell crude oil on the Ahmedabad-Rajkot highway.
Based on the input, the ATS first arrested one man near Sokhda village in Rajkot district and later picked up seven others from Tapra village in Balotra district of Rajasthan. The agency is also investigating whether more people were involved in the alleged theft.
The ATS said a case was first registered under Section 35(1) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita. During questioning, the arrested man allegedly revealed details of the syndicate, which led investigators to the seven other accused.
According to an ATS release, the accused had illegally punctured the HPCL crude oil pipeline and fitted a valve in a pit dug 3–4 feet deep in wasteland on the border of Kaludi village in Balotra district.
A separate case was registered at Jasol police station in Rajasthan against all eight under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita related to theft, criminal conspiracy and negligent conduct with respect to fire, as well as provisions of the Petroleum and Minerals Pipelines (Acquisition of Right of User in Land) Act, 1962, and the Prevention of Damage to Public Works Act.