B’gavi Police Crack Major Diesel Smuggling Racket; 17,000 Litres of Fuel Seized in Interstate Bust

Belagavi’s Malamaruti police have busted an organized diesel smuggling racket involving a “Gulf connection.” Authorities seized 17,000 litres of diesel worth ₹17 lakh. Key suspects from Rajasthan and Maharashtra are under investigation for massive tax evasion.

In a high-stakes operation on January 15, the Malamaruti police successfully intercepted an interstate diesel smuggling syndicate that operated with the sophistication of international gold smuggling rings. Led by Police Inspector B.R. Gaddekar, the team acted on a precise tip-off and stopped a massive fuel tanker on the Auto Nagar–Kanabargi stretch while it was traveling from Mumbai to Bengaluru via Belagavi.

Upon inspection, the tanker was found to be transporting 17,000 litres of diesel, valued at approximately ₹17 lakh (including the vehicle), without any mandatory permits or legal documentation.

Investigators have identified a multi-layered smuggling method:

• Gulf Connection: The fuel is suspected to have been imported from Gulf countries via sea routes. A portion of the legal consignments intended for major oil corporations was allegedly diverted at Indian ports.
• Tax Evasion: By bypassing customs and regulatory frameworks, the smugglers avoided significant central and state taxes.
• Black Market Sales: The “untaxed” diesel was being distributed through unauthorized channels and sold in the black market at nearly half the official price, causing revenue losses estimated in the crores.

The bust has exposed a network stretching across several Indian states:

• Prime Accused: Dineshkumar Bhagirath Ramji, a resident of Rajasthan, has been named as the key operative.
• Tanker Ownership: The vehicle belongs to M. Arihant from Tumakuru, who is currently under investigation.
• Wider Syndicate: Preliminary probes suggest the involvement of at least six other individuals from Maharashtra and Rajasthan.

City Police Commissioner Bhushan Borase confirmed that a two-pronged investigation is underway. Special teams are being prepared for dispatch to Mumbai and Rajasthan to trace the origin of the fuel and identify the local fuel station owners who were reportedly purchasing the smuggled diesel to maximize their profit margins.

A formal case has been registered under the Essential Commodities Act and relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).